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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

What do you find hot in a man? What do you think men like on a woman? Lighthearted Friday chat 🤷‍♀️

243 replies

freedomformeismotherhood · 10/04/2026 12:08

In a man:
Muscles
Height (sorry)
Aura - are they strong or weak?

I think straight men notice:
Skin (does it have that dewy look)
Shape
How much you care for yourself (manicure, hair, etc)

OP posts:
NavyNorris · 10/04/2026 15:57

CraftySeal · 10/04/2026 15:54

I think being honest there's a base level of physical attractiveness required, but for me beyond that it's much more about personality. I am not really attracted to men who are less intelligent than me, for example, or "loud" men, or laddish types. Having a quiet, intelligent confidence is really attractive.

In terms of what men are attracted to in women, I think that research has shown that many men say women without makeup are more attractive. But then when tested it turns out what they actually prefer when shown photos is women who are wearing natural make up to enhance their features but it doesn't look like obvious makeup, above women wearing either no make up at all, or with heavy make-up.

Edited

Oh yes, I agree with this. Not into laddish types. I don't like loud people.

Firesidechatter · 10/04/2026 15:55

freedomformeismotherhood · 10/04/2026 14:05

But then if they're marrying the former - are they sexually attracted to them?

The latter are still getting married

Of course, what an odd question, you think men aren’t attracted to naturally attractive women? If anything they are more attracted to women naturally attractive unless they are a porn obsessed teen.

i think the issue here is men are being treated here as one single brained species who all like the same thing, that’s not true. Men like all different things, obviously, as women are all different. And that changes with background, age, education level etc,

and there is a difference between immediate physical attraction and finding someone attractive. Physical will always play a part but getting to know someone their personality can make them more attractive or less.

and that’s why I think the poster saying men don’t like intelligent women is very wrong, my friendship circle and colleagues are all arguably very intelligent successful women, they have no trouble attracting a mate. And none of the men they are with would do anything more than consider a one night stand with a woman who came across as a bit thick or not very intelligent, they’d roll their eyes and move on.

there is only one man in our group who dated a woman who was not very intelligent and it didn’t last, he looked embarrassed when she opened her mouth sometimes and said something really stupid , some of the things she said was thick as, and I could see him cringe, as did everyone else, he ended it and it didn’t last long.

What got them together was physical attraction, what split them was her lack of intelligence, and I’d say if any of the women dated a man with similar issues, he’d not last long either.

there is a certain type of man who wants a thick woman, but that’s not the type of man any woman should wish to be with,

CraftySeal · 10/04/2026 15:54

I think being honest there's a base level of physical attractiveness required, but for me beyond that it's much more about personality. I am not really attracted to men who are less intelligent than me, for example, or "loud" men, or laddish types. Having a quiet, intelligent confidence is really attractive.

In terms of what men are attracted to in women, I think that research has shown that many men say women without makeup are more attractive. But then when tested it turns out what they actually prefer when shown photos is women who are wearing natural make up to enhance their features but it doesn't look like obvious makeup, above women wearing either no make up at all, or with heavy make-up.

NavyNorris · 10/04/2026 15:54

Things I find attractive in men:

Height (sorry, I know, I know- saying this, if a guy ticked all the other boxes this wouldn't be a deal breaker for me, so long as he's taller than my 5'3)

Kind.
Good sense of humour (dry, not childish).
No preference on hair colour, skin colour or eye colour.
Capable- able to take the lead, organise things. I don't want another child basically.
I don't mind sports but I wouldn't want to be with someone who's life is ruled by it (playing multiple times a week and out every weekend doing it watching it).

What do I think men find attractive in women?
Who knows?! 😂

I guess...
Nice hair?
Good figure (curvy, not too skinny or too large?- everyone's different though it's hard to guess!)
Nice smile
Nice eyes
Laughs at their jokes?!
Confidence
Dresses nicely
Intelligent?! (I hope men look for this anyway!)

UnderHousemaid · 10/04/2026 15:53

ChamonixMountainBum · 10/04/2026 15:41

So men have no room for intelligence, humour, honesty, kindness, shared values etc when it comes to what they find attractive in a woman?

Apparently not, in this poster's head. They either go for Sexy Boobs and Hair or Short, Round-Eyed and Silly.

If this were in fact the case, the human race would long since have ceased to exist.

JHound · 10/04/2026 15:45

Sartre · 10/04/2026 12:13

I really don’t think many men notice manicures at all…

I have found lots of men hate intelligence. They don’t want a smart woman who can call them out, stand on her own two feet, defend herself, squash them in an argument. This is not all men by any means, academic men tend to prefer the company of academic women. But yes, I think a lot of men prefer a less intelligent woman or at least one who acts the part…

There are studies on this. Most men say they prefer intelligence in a woman...but apparently they don't!

JHound · 10/04/2026 15:44

I find men who do domestic work without being asked very sexy.

I recall being on a volunteer event with work. We had eaten and one of the women collected the cups and piled them by the sink ready to clean later. One of my male colleagues saw and simply went over to the sink and started washing them. He wasn't asked, just did it. He was SO sexy to me in that moment!

Heyhelga · 10/04/2026 15:42

Netcurtainnelly · 10/04/2026 15:03

as you can't see their cock straightaway do you dump them if it's not a 'decent Size'?

Anything below five inches would be a disappointment but as long as they know what to do with it and they are funny and loyal then I'm happy.

ChamonixMountainBum · 10/04/2026 15:41

DuckyDolittle · 10/04/2026 15:34

I think men find different things attractive, the main two groups seem to be sexy or cute. My best friend has always been sexy, long hair, long legs, big boobs, come to bes eyes. I've always been cute, round eyes, short, silly. We've both done ok for ourselves when it comes to attention!

So men have no room for intelligence, humour, honesty, kindness, shared values etc when it comes to what they find attractive in a woman?

UnderHousemaid · 10/04/2026 15:36

DuckyDolittle · 10/04/2026 15:34

I think men find different things attractive, the main two groups seem to be sexy or cute. My best friend has always been sexy, long hair, long legs, big boobs, come to bes eyes. I've always been cute, round eyes, short, silly. We've both done ok for ourselves when it comes to attention!

Is that what you actually think men think?

I mean, do you find 'silliness' in men devastatingly attractive?

Itsallsostressful · 10/04/2026 15:35

Springsucks · 10/04/2026 12:12

Intelligent
Well spoken
Dark hair
Strong forearms
Hairy chest
Above all a sense of humour!

Oh I love a good forearm !

DuckyDolittle · 10/04/2026 15:34

I think men find different things attractive, the main two groups seem to be sexy or cute. My best friend has always been sexy, long hair, long legs, big boobs, come to bes eyes. I've always been cute, round eyes, short, silly. We've both done ok for ourselves when it comes to attention!

YerMotherWasAHamster · 10/04/2026 15:32

IsItBeesThoughLooshkin · 10/04/2026 15:20

Oh and I like competence. I think that’s why women like men in uniforms. It signals that he knows what he’s doing.

Oh yes, being competent is very attractive.

In work and around the home.
When speaking to people, sorting stuff out.
Knowing what needs to be done and just doing it and not acting like you deserve a medal is really attractive.

Echobelly · 10/04/2026 15:29

These are two very different questions as obviously we all know what we like but what most blokes like in women is a very different matter.

What I find hot:
Wide range of interests, curiosity about the world
Socially fluent (cos I'm not!)
Silly sense of humour and can laugh at himself
Physically - do have a thing about guys with dark hair and green or blue eyes
Long eyelashes
Not afraid to dress a bit differently, especially when his look really suits him

What I think men like

  • Body wise it varies,, but if he's taken you home/ you've gone home with him, he'll probably be very happy with you with your kit off regardless of your imperfections!
  • Long hair (I had very short hair as a young woman and it's a very good way of avoiding interest from your average bloke)
  • personality wise, I don't think there's an average at all
HelenaWaiting · 10/04/2026 15:26

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 10/04/2026 13:39

Most well endowed men I’ve known as friends or lovers have been complete and utter arseholes, perhaps I’ve just been unlucky. Current boyfriend just over normal size maybe 7” but chemistry and likability is off the scale and he definitely knows how to use his tackle and pleasure me. Asks for me to tell him what I want.

7 inches is well-endowed. The average is 5. I should add that I have no dog in this fight as I am in a same sex relationship. The last man I had a date with was treated to me describing at great length how one of my sons and I had restored an old classic Chopper bike. He went to the loo and never came back 🫤

1983Louise · 10/04/2026 15:21

L0V315 · 10/04/2026 12:18

Swords
Bare thighs
A bit of armour
A decent size cock

Oh yes 🙏

IsItBeesThoughLooshkin · 10/04/2026 15:20

Oh and I like competence. I think that’s why women like men in uniforms. It signals that he knows what he’s doing.

ohyesido · 10/04/2026 15:18

I don’t get my nails done it’s too much work and maintenance plus I prefer my natural long nails as they’re not gaudy.

I like rugged good looks nice teeth and hung like a donkey

IsItBeesThoughLooshkin · 10/04/2026 15:18

A big beautiful nose that looks like it belongs on an ancient marble statue. So beautiful.

Big strong chest and big thighs. A little bit fat around the middle. Not a big belly but a bit of softness. I hate visible abs on men.

Nicely shaped stubble on the face which ends at the chin and a smooth hairless neck. (Does that make sense? I don’t know what it’s called. Designer stubble?)

Hair with really short back and sides, like a fade. I just want to touch it.

Small ears.

Men like a thin waist, big butt and long hair.

BestZebbie · 10/04/2026 15:16

I suspect that "willing to have sex with me" is a top scorer for 'what men find hot in a woman', tbh.

YerMotherWasAHamster · 10/04/2026 15:09

Not really. Some of them dont gain much length but others seem to balloon out of nowhere!

One minute it's a little fat ball and the next minute it can poke your eye out from across the room.

ainsleysanob · 10/04/2026 15:08

freedomformeismotherhood · 10/04/2026 15:04

You can assess dick length by looking at how it sits when they're wearing trousers!

I'll find the tiktok about it and share 🤭🤭

I would dump a guy for having a small willy, 100% lifes too short

Nah. I disagree in some cases. The old grower not show-er. One I’ve seen was unbelievable, like a kebab skewer until you presented it with the slightest bit of attention and it was like a medieval longsword.

freedomformeismotherhood · 10/04/2026 15:04

Netcurtainnelly · 10/04/2026 15:03

as you can't see their cock straightaway do you dump them if it's not a 'decent Size'?

You can assess dick length by looking at how it sits when they're wearing trousers!

I'll find the tiktok about it and share 🤭🤭

I would dump a guy for having a small willy, 100% lifes too short

OP posts:
ToffeePennie · 10/04/2026 15:04

Men;
kindness in his eyes
the ability to make me laugh
upper arms
bit of a belly (I like a dad bod!)

women;
I notice long and glossy hair first
eyes (especially wide/big eyes)
a great arse!

personality attracts me first but these are physical attributes I always notice.

freedomformeismotherhood · 10/04/2026 15:03

Netcurtainnelly · 10/04/2026 15:01

definitely not any tattoos.

Oh I like a tattoo 😏

How come youre not a fan?

OP posts: