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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:
freedomformeismotherhood · 10/04/2026 13:02

Teachacking · 10/04/2026 12:30

I am nobody's type 😭

I'm scruffy (I do try to look nice though!), short, a bit chubby and I get excited over cloud formations and planes 😂

We're all somebody's type 😉

OP posts:
imgonna · 10/04/2026 13:01

Physical: I like a ‘man mountain’. 😁

Non-physical: Kindness and generosity. And oh if he’s practical and able to ‘do stuff’, bonus points.

freedomformeismotherhood · 10/04/2026 13:01

SusanChurchouse · 10/04/2026 12:44

The most attractive feature in a man for me is competence. Being capable. I like people who are good at something. Physically I tend to prefer ‘boyish’ clean looks rather than rugged or muscular men. I find hyper masculinity really off putting.

Agree with the former - although id trade your boyish for more rugged and slightly hairy

OP posts:
FoolOfShips · 10/04/2026 13:00

Physically, I like a man with long hair, body tending towards the thin side, with high cheekbones. I like nice hands and wrists. Not much body hair. Style wise, looking a bit metal or 1970s rock star, tight jeans and so on, or hippy/goth look. Non-physically, I like an aura of competence, someone who can cope calmly with whatever life brings and, of course, a compatible life outlook and a good degree of overlap in our tastes and interests.

In real life, I think I have only once been involved with a man on the basis or main basis of his appearance, and it didn't go well. In reality I choose on the basis of character and find what I can to like about looks.

Really hard to say what men like in women. I'm attracted to women and I tend to go for women who are what I'd say is an idealised version of myself, or the face and body I would choose if I'd had a choice in the matter; and personality-wise, exactly the same criteria as for a man.

Men in my experience tend either to be very conventional in what they like - slim, pretty, nice boobs and legs etc. or they have a very particular, niche aesthetic such as men who are attracted to very overweight women. While some men will confidently expect super-attractive women to fall at their feet (much more so than women expect super-attractive men to notice them) others will learn to love less conventionally attractive women and focus on their best features.

freedomformeismotherhood · 10/04/2026 12:59

Underthinker · 10/04/2026 12:52

I don't think we care tbh.

Oh okay

Care to share what you do like, as a presumably straight man? 👀

OP posts:
Springsucks · 10/04/2026 12:57

Whosthetabbynow · 10/04/2026 12:24

What about the man? 🤭

Ha 😂

DreamingOfGeneHunt · 10/04/2026 12:55

Men: I don't have a type really but I like solidly built and kind. I have to find them physically attractive. I don't find skinny men attractive.

Women: my type is dark haired, pretty eyes, curvy. Most of the women I've liked are very tall.

SwatTheTwit · 10/04/2026 12:54

In men:
A funny man wins me
Tall (it didn’t use to be something I paid any mind to but after a 6’4 I understand it now)
Slim/fit but not the gym bro bulky type
Practical
Kind
Can hold a conversation even if we have opposing views without getting all huffy & puffy
Nice smell
Competent and self sufficient at home

According to my partner, what catches his eye:
Butt
Hair
Nice smell
Hard working
Practical
Funny
Reliable/responsible
Glasses (for some reason)

Underthinker · 10/04/2026 12:52

freedomformeismotherhood · 10/04/2026 12:20

Really?

Maybe straight men like them clean and neat though?

I don't think we care tbh.

PotatoPrometheus · 10/04/2026 12:49

Someone academic that I can have interesting, thoughtful and informative conversation with...but crucially, is also capable of being very silly and not taking life too seriously. Not too fussed about aesthetics, but I've never really gone for 'manly' men.

As for what (straight) men look for in a woman...probably someone who breathes and says yes (though some don't even seem to have that as a baseline standard).

Luckily I found someone who was looking for an intelligent, sensitive woman, with a great sense of humour and looks like captain caveman (I have a lot of hair).

SusanChurchouse · 10/04/2026 12:44

The most attractive feature in a man for me is competence. Being capable. I like people who are good at something. Physically I tend to prefer ‘boyish’ clean looks rather than rugged or muscular men. I find hyper masculinity really off putting.

AmberSpy · 10/04/2026 12:44

freedomformeismotherhood · 10/04/2026 12:20

Really?

Maybe straight men like them clean and neat though?

Clean and neat definitely, but you hardly need a manicure to keep your nails trimmed and clean!

LittleJustice · 10/04/2026 12:35

I like tall men, and not overweight.

Then it's all about intelligence, humour, kindness and being interested in the stuff I am. So cinema, theatre, gigs, travel.

I think the men I go for look for similar in a woman.

I want a male best mate to snog, hold hands with and have great sex with.

Badballerina · 10/04/2026 12:33

In men (for me)
Smart
Kind
Funny
Competent
Reliable
Truthful
Fair
Slim
Great cheekbones
Nice smile
(my second DH in other words my first DH ticked none of these)

I think men like women who are

Smart ( not maybe overly intellectual tho)
Good looking - longish swishy hair , nice skin and teeth
Slim
Fun/ funny
Capable
Independent
( oh that's sorta me except I'm slim ish rather than slim)

Teachacking · 10/04/2026 12:30

I am nobody's type 😭

I'm scruffy (I do try to look nice though!), short, a bit chubby and I get excited over cloud formations and planes 😂

OldHattie · 10/04/2026 12:28

At the risk of sounding like Napoleon Dynamite "good skills", there is something weirdly hot to me about men who have a specific talent. Especially musicians and mathematicians (weirdly)

Work9to5 · 10/04/2026 12:27

For me intelligence and humour first. Good skin and teeth, and blue eyes.

For men: god knows as I don't and never did. Depends on the man.

Scottishskifun · 10/04/2026 12:27

What I find hot in a man:
Someone who can make me laugh
Someone who is considerate
Nice eyes that show passion/sparkle
Broader build (I'm not talking gladiators or body builders) but strong shoulders
Someone I can have a decent conversation with

What do I think men find hot (or at least the ones I know including my husband)
Easy going attitude
Being confident and outgoing
Fun to be around/have a laugh with
Nice eyes
Sporty

The intelligence of women - I've had it both ways generally those who went to uni found my intelligence attractive.
Those that didn't it seemed to make them insecure.

Firesidechatter · 10/04/2026 12:26

Sartre · 10/04/2026 12:24

It’s always physical initially for both sexes and this is obviously subjective. When a person opens their mouth this can immediately change - we’ve all met someone like that before! It can run both ways of course. Someone can be physically hot, then you realise they’re also intelligent/funny/caring whatever you go for, and you’re hooked.

I think lots of men are put off when you’re highly intelligent, maybe because they know you’ll see through their shit.

I don’t agree, I think sadly That’s the men you know.

freedomformeismotherhood · 10/04/2026 12:24

nonevernotever · 10/04/2026 12:22

Oh and height, muscles and penis size are all irrelevant to me. However treat children, old people, waiters/shop staff etc well and I'll melt.

Girl, sorry what??

Manners are important but surely you dont want a bald 2 foot man with a Ken doll smoothness down there??

OP posts:
Sartre · 10/04/2026 12:24

Firesidechatter · 10/04/2026 12:16

I don’t think men in general prefer less intelligent women, I think less intelligent men, prefer less intelligent women.

for men, I think it is often physical. Slim body, good hair, pretty face, whilst be outgoing, confident, chatty and kind.

for women, I think it’s often height, fitness, good hair, strong, chiselled or good looking face, and a can do, decisive, caring manner.

It’s always physical initially for both sexes and this is obviously subjective. When a person opens their mouth this can immediately change - we’ve all met someone like that before! It can run both ways of course. Someone can be physically hot, then you realise they’re also intelligent/funny/caring whatever you go for, and you’re hooked.

I think lots of men are put off when you’re highly intelligent, maybe because they know you’ll see through their shit.

Whosthetabbynow · 10/04/2026 12:24

Springsucks · 10/04/2026 12:12

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

What about the man? 🤭

freedomformeismotherhood · 10/04/2026 12:22

UnderHousemaid · 10/04/2026 12:21

The 'twinkle' always shows up in those Take A Break Stories about finding love:

'I met Dave when he came to repair the toilet. 'There you go, love,' he joked as he handed me a toilet roll. He had a twinkle in his eye and a lovely bum.'

Always accompanied by a photograph of Dave, who looks like an angry thumb covered in tattoos.

😄

France Laughing GIF
OP posts:
nonevernotever · 10/04/2026 12:22

Oh and height, muscles and penis size are all irrelevant to me. However treat children, old people, waiters/shop staff etc well and I'll melt.

UnderHousemaid · 10/04/2026 12:21

nonevernotever · 10/04/2026 12:18

Intelligence
Kindness
Sense of humour
Shared moral compass
And a nice arse.

Maybe controversial and obviously not all men, but I would never go for a man with a twinkle in their eyes. Every one I've met that has been described to me as having lovely twinkle eyes or having a twinkle has been a serial womaniser/cheat.

Luckily for me my DH's list of requirements also focused heavily on nonphysical attributes 🤣

The 'twinkle' always shows up in those Take A Break Stories about finding love:

'I met Dave when he came to repair the toilet. 'There you go, love,' he joked as he handed me a toilet roll. He had a twinkle in his eye and a lovely bum.'

Always accompanied by a photograph of Dave, who looks like an angry thumb covered in tattoos.

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