What is physical attraction?

[Backdrifter]

Why do we find certain physical features "attractive"? I love women's legs, but who says a leg is shapely? Is it just a received notion? I also like certain quirky features that some might consider imperfections - e.g. a very slight squint, a slight overbite, that gap in the front teeth. Short hair, red hair, specs. A particular shape of eyebrows (Nicole Kidman's being the exemplar). Other people will have different ones. But why? What can it mean, what makes it so?

It's not that I go crazy trying to analyse this, but it intrigues me. And the funny thing is, my partner sometimes spots these things before I do. We know each other's taste in looks only too well, so sometimes when we're watching TV she'll say "I bet you think she's cute" and I usually do, and it's because she's clocked that the actress or whoever has the squint or the overbite etc. If you don't have an answer, and it is a toughie, then perhaps you can just say if you too are drawn to physical quirks that you find irresistible.

[andy-hughes]

the concept of attraction is something inbuilt, and still to be properly explained.

We all know that each gender goes for the stereotypical oppoiste - men like women with wide hips and large breasts and women like men with muscular chests and arms, the former will be good for childrearing, the latter will protect the female and the family.

The more sophisticated traits such as those you mention are more individual, and thereforee even harder to pin down. For the record, I like women with glasses - something vulnerable about weak eyes. I also like women with strong European. Asian or Mediterainian features - aqualine noses, full lips, large eyes. I also like quirky features such as an over-bite - the sort of thing a woman will have agonised over during her teens, but which is really quite attractive.

Try asking a woman you think is attractive to name her worst physical feature, and chances are, she'll mention something you never noticed!

[mccfluff]

yep i'm also drwan to quirks but not any particular one it always changes with the guy., sometimes at their nose or eyes

[scruffscat]

i find men with the dark hair blue eyes combo really attractive,also i find grey hair irresistable too, mr. sruff has grey hair bless him-and a cute dimple that gives him a quirkyness that i find gorgeous in him.Hes also tall and quite muscular and ive always gone for that.

[Backdrifter]

Interesting, andy, thanks for that. So you like the specs and overbite too, eh? I'm aware that some people share my preferences, I've even heard some agree on the squint thing. Re the curviness, large breasts - once I'd have wholeheartedly agreed but I find myself gradually being more attracted to the straight-down, small-breasted, almost boyish look - and I wonder if, together with the short hair, there's something going on there? Am I one-tenth homosexual, or something? Did growing up in an all-boys school, and experiencing attraction to one or two boys at the time, imprint itself on me?

Yes I agree, women can often either be embarrassed by some physical feature of theirs that you haven't noticed, or be surprised that you find attractive something they've always wanted to get rid of (e.g. an overbite).

[4getmenot]

I find I have all sorts of taste but usually I look for someone that makes me laugh rather then any physical attraction. Remember, its not what you look at that matters its what you see. xx

[claireyfairy]

see, i'm all about "pretty" faces. Body type doesn't bother me at all. And I have a think for tidy scars and tatoos!!!

[claireyfairy]

"thing" even not "think"! :-)

[Backdrifter]

You're talking about when you meet a person, and yes you have to be attracted to the whole person, but I'm not talking about that - I mean even when you see someone on TV and think they're attractive; or seeing a person on the bus, in the street etc, that you're never going to talk to - knowing them can't come into it so THAT kind of attraction is all on looks. That's what I'm asking about.

The very valid point you raise, about what sort of personality traits attract you - that's a WHOLE other discussion.

[PinkFizz]

Whats an overbite??

[4getmenot]

Thats weird coz even on telly there isnt ever a certain type I go for. And you know when someone plays a character in a soap then I can go for their personality. How strange is that :-) Like Bradley in Enders I would never look at him and think mmmm but the way he is makes me think it. :-)

[whiffey]

For the perfect woman look no further than Cat Deeley.

Tall, slender, shapely in the best way, sparkling eyes, a trim little nose, weyhey legs and a mere trace of brummie.

A goddess, and a template for the rest of you to build on.

[Backdrifter]

PinkFizz, an overbite is when someone's top teeth and top lip protrude slightly more than the lower teeth and lip. Not freakishly, just enough for it to be noticeable. This sometimes also causes a slight lisp, something else I find really cute.

[Backdrifter]

Interesting, Deeley's an example of imperfection that for once I don't go for - there's something not quite right with her face, her mouth's crooked or something, also for me she's too generically lad-maggish and undistinctive. Give me a short, speccy redhead or brunette any day.

None of which brings us any closer to knowing why we think these things.

[kazminx]

i like a goatee beard and prominent teeth...dont know why...i also like guys who are a bit overweight....not pretty boys as all and yet i always attract pretty young hunks...well...theyre not always too bad for pleasure!!!

[admarlow]

Its all about the Golden Ratio, google it and it will explain all

[Backdrifter]

Nah, admarlow, it's not all about the golden ratio. The theory of facial beauty relating to the golden ratio was briefly fashionable in the 90s but all it proves is that if you juggle all sorts of different facial proportions you will be able to come up with some that match the ratio. And it also doesn't explain why, for some us, features such as hair colour and length, squints, specs and overbites form part of visual attraction.

[Hellion]

I realise that I always give men with long hair a second look and I'm rather partial to big noses too.

[juju74]

i dont think i go for any certain physical features . . . . there are of course the stereotypical looks that are sort of universialy good looking ie george clooney etc but that doesn't mean i fancy them ... its just something that people give of on screen or in real life , i also think eyes are a thing that attract me don,t ask me what type just something about certain eyes. . .( sorry bad bad speller)

[Goodsoulette]

Obviously there are guys and girls that are just attractive to most, like Josh Holloway he is a given alpha male.
I generally like tall, geeky looking men with that long around the ears kind of studenty hair cut. So hair is a big thing, think James Walsh, Owen Wilson, or Noel Fielding.
I must say however I pretty much fancy Justin Lee Collins at the moment.