Unattractiveness and the discussion of style - Page 6

Most sensible answer so far.

Most of us would prefer to change something about out physical appearance. Some may compensate entirely through the fleeting gratification provided by the acqisition of luxury items, but I've yet to meet such a person. The men I've met who compensate for some less than ideal feature of their appearance tend to do so through plainness of dress so as not to attract attention.

Where luxury is concerned, I find the payoff to be in comfort rather than in the mere possession of some luxury item; you can pay a lot for a suit because the brand name is high profile, but feel like you're spending the whole day shut up in a box, or you can take the trouble to be informed and spend your money on a suit that will make you feel like you're spending your whole day lounging around in pajamas and will look fantastic to anyone who also has an eye for fine tailoring. And if nobody has such an eye, you still end up looking well-dressed but not so different from everybody else.

Personally, I find dressing well and having nice things is a fun hobby. I derive joy from wearing parts of my collection. Compensation of the type you imply doesn't really enter into the picture.

If I am compensating for anything, it's the rigor of a work day that lasts 12 hours minimum and involves hours on end of drudgery and requires that I look fresh and sharp the entire time. In meeting this challenge, looks come behind smelling nice all day long and maintaining a pleasant attitude that makes the daily grind just that much more bearable for your coworkers, whose lives may suck far worse than yours, no matter what you look like.

In other words, there may be something to your question, but you've asked in such a way as to deliver the fatal blow to a straw man.

I still maintain that style entails a greater diversity of elements than just looks. This fact may be difficult to bear in mind on an internet forum that is overhwelmingly visual.

This thread reminds me of the Seinfeld episode in which Jerry concludes that 95 percent of people are undatable. (UNDATABLE!)

I wonder if this thread isn't built, at least in part, on the presupposition that the participants in a style forum must be dashing, handsome young men dressed to the nines at all times. (The anonymity of the 'Net helps make this believable.) But I imagine we're really just like any other group -- some of us are fat, some thin; some beautiful, some homely. Really, would you consider the majority of society at large to be "attractive"?

Beyond that, I find the evidence too flimsy to make any sweeping conclusions. Some folks, I'm sure, dress well because it aids their appearance, some because it's a way to show off, some because dressing well is its own noble goal. If anything, I'm impressed at how many of our posters seem to fall into the latter category.

I am ugly, poor, rude, and I smell funny. But I have a huge package. That totally makes up for it as far as most of the ladies are concerned.

I think that the members of this forum are probably more attractive (regardless of clothing) than the average population.

Quality of tail pulled.


Seriously though, why would anyone need to judge thier own attractiveness? I'm short so I'd like to be taller, stocky so I need to take that into consideration when I dress. But as far as facial features go, they can't be affected, so who cares?

Ugly ladies or pretty ladies?

So basically you think people that are into streetwear are lowbrow consumerists? Nice analysis...

Hi,

There are multiple points to address.

1) Humprey Bogard's facial attractiveness was not bad at the start of his career.

2) Surveys and other evidence suggest that physical attractiveness is more sought after than it used to be.

3) Researchers have found that a man's perceived physical attractiveness is affected by the female companionship he keeps.

4) Many, many studies have found that better-looking candidates are more likely to receive job offers.

5) Judging by findings about online dating and speed dating, which more and more people use these days, male physical attractiveness probably matters more in dating success than in professional success.

6) "Through this study it was found that women and men share the same views on whether the male photos they were exposed to were attractive, neutral or unattractive. Some differences between the sexes surfaced on the extremity of their views of attractive versus unattractive males but were not significant. The men saw both the attractive and unattractive male photos as less attractive than their female counterparts. The significant difference, on the other hand, was between the sexes concerning their views on the neutral male photo. It was found that males viewed the neutral male more positively than the females did."

7) Men overestimate the amount of muscularity that women find attractive in men.

I can in your case, I love the long black hair, the milky white skin, the almond-shaped eyes and the tastefully applied lipstick on your gorgeous lips...oh wait that's not you nevermind....

Mostly fat, filthy rich, redneck women with no apparent skills, you know, like Britney Spears.

Also, although many studies focus on only 3 to 5 levels of attractiveness, research into attractiveness and wealth has found that slight differences add up.