Why Men's Clothes Matter in Dating

Blake Lively & Ryan Reynolds

More men are dating far more now, than ever before. The average man waits until age 29 to get married, and more men get divorced and begin dating again.

Here's one woman's view on men's clothes and dating. Blake Lively, who just married Ryan Reynolds, said, "It's definitely attractive when a man can dress well." Yes, they're both gorgeous movie stars regardless of the question of style. But even at that level of dating, clothes make a crucial difference.

What men wear on initial dates can greatly influence how women respond to them. It is often said that men are undressing women with their eyes. Men hope that women are doing the same to them. But if your clothes are non-optimal, instead she may be dressing you with her eyes -- mentally changing what you're wearing to see if it improves how she feels about dating you. This is something a man wants to avoid, since it can prevent the woman from developing a stronger interest in him.

Some guys consider this unfair, since there can actually be an inverse relationship between a man's partner-material qualifications and his style sophistication. A player type of guy has to look great to keep attracting new women; players usually dress better than most for this reason. Women know this, but can't just ignore what their dates are wearing, because clothes are still a valid source of dating information.

So why are women so obsessed with their date's clothes? Several reasons, not all superficial. Because she is hoping to connect with the right man, and proper clothes can help her fall for you in these ways:

• Increase the Appearance of Symmetry -- Attractiveness is closely tied to symmetry, studies show. Yet no one is completely symmetrical. Good clothing choices use color and proportion to strengthen the perception of harmony and balance, and restore symmetry where needed.

• Make Good Features More Noticeable -- The right clothing uses just enough contrast to draw attention to the person, and then direct it to his face, without distracting from his best features.Colors and patterns can absolutely emphasize eyes, hair, cheekbones, etc.

• Reveal or Conceal the Body -- Fit is essential to suggest what's beneath your clothes in the most becoming way. The right fit reveals body shape where it is advantageous, and conceals it where appropriate. The best clothes follow your body so naturally and comfortably, it looks like you were born in them (aka naked). 

• Convey Social Information -- Clothing choices indicate social standing, group belonging, and financial resources through various cues and references. You can use these to deliver the message you choose.

• Convey Sexual Identity Information -- Styles can communicate whether a man is straight or gay, and his mix of masculine and feminine qualities.

• Convey Personality Information -- Clothes can also indicate other desirable traits like athleticism, stability, humor, imagination, before even arriving at taste.

Also, many women spend tons of time trying to upgrade their looks through clothing, to be considered socially attractive and increase their appeal to men. They know how powerful clothes are, so it is difficult for them to just switch off a habit of visual analysis. Generally, the more well-put-together the woman, the more aware of your clothes she will be.

Your clothes should support your dating goals, not detract from them. Take control by making sure your clothes don't distract your date by putting her into problem-solving mode. Ideally, your well-selected clothes portray who you are accurately and effectively, to win over the woman of your choice. Contact us at missmenswear.com.