What women like in a man is changing over time. Recent studies show that men with more feminine traits might be more attractive than men who are very masculine. But what does that mean for a man like you who likes to look good?
It’s hard to tell when women stop finding a man who is femininely attractive and instead start calling him “girly.” You don’t want to be THAT guy, believe me.
As always, it’s our job to show you guys the right way. In today’s article, BFH explains what it means to be a good-looking man and whether or not that means having “feminine” qualities.
Feminine Traits #1: How does a man become feminine?
Different things could be meant by a guy being feminine.
Some women might say that a man who looks good is feminine. At the same time, some people might say that being feminine means wearing pink and smelling like flowers.
In the end, there is no clear definition of what makes a man’s style “feminine.” In the 1970s, it was considered attractive and masculine for men to have long hair and wear tight clothes.
But if you want to know if you’re feminine by today’s standards of masculinity, you should ask yourself these questions:
How much hair do I have on my body?
Body hair is a big part of what it means to be a man in the traditional sense.
Men who shave their whole bodies look a lot more like women because women don’t have as much hair as men do. Most guys have some body hair, so getting rid of it all is a surefire way to make yourself look less manly.
But that doesn’t mean you have to grow a beard if you don’t want to. A well-groomed man doesn’t have to be a girly man. If you like the clean-shaven look, don’t be afraid to shave every other day. No one will judge you for that!
In fact, a clean-shaven face can show off the jawline, which is one of the most manly parts of a man’s face. People think that a strong jawline is one of the most attractive and masculine things a man can have. Keep this in mind if you’re thinking about growing facial hair to look more manly.
Do I wear patterns and smell of flowers?
I don’t want to give you too many rules here. But floral patterns and pastel colours tend to be more girly than boyish.
Again, this is something that has changed over time.
Flowers were thought to be gifts from the gods in ancient Egypt, Persia, and India. Men with high social status could wear them or smell them to get closer to their gods.
Men in Greece and Rome also wore flowers, usually in the form of garlands or wreaths. They were used for religious ceremonies by the Romans. But roses were especially important to them. In time, roses became a universal symbol of love and romance.
In the 21st century, however, floral patterns and smells have come to be seen as feminine. A man who wears a floral shirt or smells like flowers is more likely to be seen as feminine than a man who wears dark clothes and smells like cedar.
Does that mean you shouldn’t wear anything flowery? Not even close! In fact, many women say they like it when men wear floral prints. They think it shows that he is “easygoing”, doesn’t take himself too seriously, and is more emotionally mature.
Do I Let My Feelings Show?
Let me start by saying that men who don’t show how they feel are more likely to feel emotionally burned out. It’s a bad habit that makes a lot of guys suffer in silence and have problems with their mental health.
Stoicism isn’t always a good thing, and it doesn’t make you a manlier person than someone who shows how they feel.
Even so, men who are in touch with their feelings are still looked down upon. Men who are sad, scared, or worried are often seen as weak, so they try to hide these feelings.
The sad thing is that most women like it when men show how they feel. People who say emotions are weak and feminine are usually other guys. What’s the point of putting an emotional limit on ourselves that women don’t find attractive?
If you show a lot of emotion as a guy, other guys might think you’re a girl. But it’s likely that women won’t look at you the same way. A man who is in touch with his emotions is more likely to understand how other people feel, which most women find very attractive.
Feminine Traits #2: Are Feminine Males More Attractive?
It depends.
Men who have classic “female” traits but are still strong and masculine are attractive.
Guys who give up everything that makes them men and become girls? Not really.
As with most things in life, the key is to find a happy medium.
Let’s think of this like a supercar. A Ferrari should be quick and loud, which are two manly qualities that make it fun to drive. But it should also be slim, have comfortable seats, and smell great, right? Those are pretty girly qualities.
Most people really want a supercar because it has both male and female qualities. It’s the same when it comes to guys and how much they act like women.
A study from the University of Gottingen in Germany found that 90% of women find kindness to be the most attractive trait in a partner. This was closely followed by being helpful and smart.
Note that none of these three traits are what most people think of as “manly.” In fact, both being kind and being a good supporter require a lot of emotional intelligence, which many people would say is more feminine.
Feminine Traits #3: How to show your feminine side?
At this point, I think it’s important for you to know that showing your feminine side is a good thing and will make you more attractive to women. To come across as a mature and modern man, you need to know how to show your feminine side.
To show your feminine side, you just have to be in touch with your feelings, understand how your partner feels, and take care of yourself:
Don’t keep your feelings to yourself; tell your partner how you feel. Let them out and talk about them in a healthy and helpful way.
Listen to how your partner feels, and if she’s upset, ask her why. If you don’t understand how she feels, ask her to explain it so you can learn more about her.
Check your routine for taking care of yourself. Do you take care of your skin and eat well? Could you join a gym and do research on the best skin care products for men?
Be happy with how you look. Does your hair look good? Do you dress well? Think about looking up the best fashion tips for men your age.
At the same time, it’s important that you still do the things that make you a man. Don’t stop yourself from having a beer with your buddies or watching the latest game of your team. Do what makes you happy and be the best man you can be.
Feminine Characteristics #4: Do women not want a man who is the leader?
The days of hunting in the wild and protecting your homestead from mammoths, saber-toothed tigers, and cave people with clubs are over.
A man can drive to Walmart if he needs to protect his family. He calls the police if someone comes on to his land.
Women no longer need big, strong men to keep them safe. Their priorities and ideas about the “ideal man” have both changed. In the 21st century, women want a man who can listen well, talk a lot, and will be a great father.
You don’t need biceps and a six-pack to do those things, so the idea of a “Alpha Male” isn’t as important as it used to be.
In fact, women don’t like guys who try to be in charge. There’s nothing wrong with being a man, but women quickly lose interest in guys who are too aggressive, bossy, or arrogant.
27% of women who read TheList.com said that not listening to them was the most annoying thing about men, followed by being rude and arrogant. What can we learn from this? Simple: A man who thinks he’s the alpha and doesn’t care about how other people feel is likely to fail at modern dating.
Women do like men who take charge and show they’re independent, but that’s not the same thing as being a jerk to everyone else.
The Verdict: Do Women Like Feminine Men?
Women like guys who act like men but have some feminine traits.
When it comes to feelings, women want their partners to be honest and willing to talk about each other’s feelings in an adult way. A stoic man might fit the mould of “traditional” masculinity, but that won’t work in the dating world of today.
A man has to be a book that anyone can read. This shows that he is smarter and more emotionally mature, which are two very attractive traits in a man.
That doesn’t mean that women don’t want men to act like men sometimes. Showing your strength and resolve is a great way to look manly and show a potential partner how valuable you are. Just don’t go too far. There is a big difference between being confident and being arrogant. If you act like an alpha male who knows everything, women will avoid you.
In short, you need to find a balance between being masculine and being feminine. We as men also admire and desire some masculine traits in women which is completely normal. It is the balance of Ying Yang that makes it perfect! Hence, act like a man and look like a man, but know and accept that there are times when you need to be more emotional and understanding.