I hope you don't mind a woman asking a question. Having spent some time looking through the manosphere for a better understanding of what appeals to men, I thought yoga pants and a ponytail constituted a rather sloppy outfit. Wouldn't most men prefer a woman to put some time and effort into her appearance, and maintain a day-to-day look consisting of a dress or skirt, stockings, make-up, and jewelry?
Just A Girl: Men are attracted to female youth and beauty. To get some idea of what this is, Google "nose art" for World War II American bombers and see how the airmen depicted the women they fantasized about sleeping with. If you have a body like this, you can look good to men even in sweatpants. Hairstyle, jewelry, make-up and the heels/skirt combo do help to make plain girls more competitive with pretty girls in the SMP, but they are not what draw and hold our attention.
Hehe, nice. And yes. And the cartoon reminds me of Lisa Lionheart. (That was the name, right? It's been a while since I've seen that episode.)
Why would Vox mind a woman asking a question?
Well fitting Yoga pants and a ponytail in the right context (gym, park, etc.) can be quite attractive. Of course, what's inside the outfit matters the most.
...and yoga pants aren't sweat pants. What Just A Girl and BAmbitionMouse in the strip are missing is that putting your time and effort into things that men do not find attractive (education, careerism, girl business suits and brutal, business like haircuts and the severe, hardened expressions that come with them) and deliberately avoiding the things that men do find attractive (having a fit body with clothes that prove it, youthful, feminine hair and actually giving men attention instead of whining to a girlfriend about prospects) is self-defeating.
In other words, yoga pants isn't competing here with flowing (non-business) skirt and make-up - she's competing with Hilary Clinton.
And it is a slaughter.
Besides, the fact is this: a girl who looks good in yoga pants and no make-up is a girl who looks good.
Just A Girl is right. Especially for women who don't have flawless figures. As a rule, more formal clothing is better at concealing figure flaws and emphasizing good points than less formal clothing. It can't work miracles, but can be a significant boost.
Of course the real subtext is that the "Ivy League degree" has very little attraction to men. Perhaps as much interest is generated if a man tells a woman they have the command structure of the Confederate army memorized from the War Between the States. Sure, there may be some that are impressed in a vague way, but odds are just as good that it will be a negative when considering for a relationship. Especially if you are familiar with what comes out of the Ivy League the last few decades.
At least in this case the 'smart' woman isn't fat...although she is masculine acting which is presumably the point. Most of us have encountered this type...the only thing missing here is the 'Ivy League' woman saying 'men are intimidated by smart women'.
I've heard quite a few men say they like pony tails on a woman, so it seems kind of universal. I just don't understand what exactly is appealing about it.
"It is something to grab onto."
That made me think of Flashheart in Blackadder II: "Like the beard, Bridesmaid. Gives me something to hang on to!"
Stingray's right - "something to grab onto" - but also this: an attractive woman in a ponytail is suspending her hair on purpose: unlike the kinetic sexiness of yoga pants on a fit body, it holds potential sexiness - the potential to unleash.
In other words, the casual girl, though not even as kinetically sexy as she can be with the mere twist of a band, is infinitely more appealing than Madame Executive Clubfoot.
A good ponytail is the "cute phase" of unleashed tresses.
Can't have a pony tail without long hair. And a woman wearing a pony tail is usually doing something halfway-athletic, so she's probably in better shape than the norm.
I prefer long hair to be down if I'm given the choice. But I'll always notice a ponytail, especially the loose kind tied low.
The ball cap also indicates - at a minimum - that the woman isn't going to have a kneejerk "ugh, sports!" response. In other words, at worst, she's got a passing openness or tolerance for sports, and at best, is a legitimate fan of them. If a guy shoots, golfs, watches or plays in sports (or even fishes) - a ball cap on a girl sends the message that she doesn't whine about that stuff.
The ponytail suggests youth and fun, being often worn by younger women doing things men consider fun. It also suggests the woman isn't too vain, as she's willing to go around without taking an hour to fix her hair.
Shoulder length hair is "long" only in woman-speak. To men, (or to me if you prefer) shoulder length hair looks like a helmet and rather on the "short" side. I've explained the same point to other women. "Tresses" begin somewhere in the beyond-your-shoulders area.
People are missing the point of the comic - it's not that men are attracted to yoga pants and ponytails (she just mentioned that in passing only).
Furthermore, I think the joke is in how much more work there was involved with something that doesn't really work - good job and ivy league degree - than in what would have worked.
Is it actually a common belief that achievement is a way to catch a man, rather than simply a path to extra money and some feminist idea of "fulfilment"? Traditional gender roles seem to be somewhat stronger here in the American South, so I could have easily missed that meme -- this is the first I've heard of it.
Many women mistakenly believe that men should find achievement and "confidence" attractive because those are the same traits they are looking for in men. A surprisingly common misconception among women age 50 and younger.
I hate yoga pants. My wife wears them and I call them her ninja pants. Good thing she's so great that she could wear a used garbage bag and I'd still think she was awesome.
Ponytails are a plus though :-)
On the other hand, I dislike most jewelry and makeup. Keep it simple.
46 comments:
Eh, none of these really do anything for me.
GIYP. Mmmmmmmm.... actually, only a small percentage of the girls on that sight trip my trigger. But the ones that do...
I so need to join a gym.
Their grandmothers knew the answer. But it's not a question of what "more" men want; it's a question of what we want to begin with.
Funny and true!
Solo
I hope you don't mind a woman asking a question. Having spent some time looking through the manosphere for a better understanding of what appeals to men, I thought yoga pants and a ponytail constituted a rather sloppy outfit. Wouldn't most men prefer a woman to put some time and effort into her appearance, and maintain a day-to-day look consisting of a dress or skirt, stockings, make-up, and jewelry?
Just A Girl: Men are attracted to female youth and beauty. To get some idea of what this is, Google "nose art" for World War II American bombers and see how the airmen depicted the women they fantasized about sleeping with. If you have a body like this, you can look good to men even in sweatpants. Hairstyle, jewelry, make-up and the heels/skirt combo do help to make plain girls more competitive with pretty girls in the SMP, but they are not what draw and hold our attention.
Girly....it ain't the outfit, it's what's filling it that counts in that panel....
Anyone else thinking of the pullstring Malibu Stacy after seeing this girl's handle?
"Don't ask me..."
Malibu Stacy
Hehe, nice. And yes. And the cartoon reminds me of Lisa Lionheart. (That was the name, right? It's been a while since I've seen that episode.)
Why would Vox mind a woman asking a question?
Well fitting Yoga pants and a ponytail in the right context (gym, park, etc.) can be quite attractive. Of course, what's inside the outfit matters the most.
By cartoon, I meant comic strip above.
...and yoga pants aren't sweat pants. What Just A Girl and BAmbitionMouse in the strip are missing is that putting your time and effort into things that men do not find attractive (education, careerism, girl business suits and brutal, business like haircuts and the severe, hardened expressions that come with them) and deliberately avoiding the things that men do find attractive (having a fit body with clothes that prove it, youthful, feminine hair and actually giving men attention instead of whining to a girlfriend about prospects) is self-defeating.
In other words, yoga pants isn't competing here with flowing (non-business) skirt and make-up - she's competing with Hilary Clinton.
And it is a slaughter.
Besides, the fact is this: a girl who looks good in yoga pants and no make-up is a girl who looks good.
Just A Girl is right. Especially for women who don't have flawless figures. As a rule, more formal clothing is better at concealing figure flaws and emphasizing good points than less formal clothing. It can't work miracles, but can be a significant boost.
That makes sense. Thanks!
Of course the real subtext is that the "Ivy League degree" has very little attraction to men. Perhaps as much interest is generated if a man tells a woman they have the command structure of the Confederate army memorized from the War Between the States. Sure, there may be some that are impressed in a vague way, but odds are just as good that it will be a negative when considering for a relationship. Especially if you are familiar with what comes out of the Ivy League the last few decades.
At least in this case the 'smart' woman isn't fat...although she is masculine acting which is presumably the point. Most of us have encountered this type...the only thing missing here is the 'Ivy League' woman saying 'men are intimidated by smart women'.
Why are there two sets of comments? One set of comments here and another place to comment when you click on the picture to get the larger version?
Corporate women like that make me ill.
Why do men like pony tails so much?
I didn't think they did? I thought most liked it down and flowing?
The in the gutter, male side of my brain automatically thinks "It is something to grab onto." Sorry. It just went there on it's own. ; )
I've heard quite a few men say they like pony tails on a woman, so it seems kind of universal. I just don't understand what exactly is appealing about it.
"It is something to grab onto."
That made me think of Flashheart in Blackadder II: "Like the beard, Bridesmaid. Gives me something to hang on to!"
Because it's long enough to be put into a ponytail. Doesn't matter that you do it, it matters that you can.
Stingray's right - "something to grab onto" - but also this: an attractive woman in a ponytail is suspending her hair on purpose: unlike the kinetic sexiness of yoga pants on a fit body, it holds potential sexiness - the potential to unleash.
In other words, the casual girl, though not even as kinetically sexy as she can be with the mere twist of a band, is infinitely more appealing than Madame Executive Clubfoot.
A good ponytail is the "cute phase" of unleashed tresses.
Is this why guys like women in a baseball cap as well? I have heard that many, many times and it has always surprised me.
When we go to the shooting range, I have my hair in a pony tail and a baseball cap pulled down low. My husband really likes this look.
Interesting explanation, Daniel. Makes sense.
Now I just have to figure out what yoga pants are.
Why do men like pony tails so much?
Can't have a pony tail without long hair. And a woman wearing a pony tail is usually doing something halfway-athletic, so she's probably in better shape than the norm.
I prefer long hair to be down if I'm given the choice. But I'll always notice a ponytail, especially the loose kind tied low.
I have a feeling Ambitious Mouse will be marrying herself soon...
Wow, the artist did an exceptionally poor job on this.
Somehow, I don't think you consider shoulder-length long, because I have a ponytail and my hair only goes down to my shoulders when it's undone.
I like ponytails, and baseball caps. I don't know why.
Perhaps because exposing the neck is an indicator of interest.
Perhaps as VD said, she's doing something active.
The ball cap also indicates - at a minimum - that the woman isn't going to have a kneejerk "ugh, sports!" response. In other words, at worst, she's got a passing openness or tolerance for sports, and at best, is a legitimate fan of them. If a guy shoots, golfs, watches or plays in sports (or even fishes) - a ball cap on a girl sends the message that she doesn't whine about that stuff.
It's not that bad. Mousephy Brown just needs some crow's feet.
The ponytail suggests youth and fun, being often worn by younger women doing things men consider fun. It also suggests the woman isn't too vain, as she's willing to go around without taking an hour to fix her hair.
Shoulder length hair is "long" only in woman-speak. To men, (or to me if you prefer) shoulder length hair looks like a helmet and rather on the "short" side. I've explained the same point to other women. "Tresses" begin somewhere in the beyond-your-shoulders area.
Shorter hair is better on women anyway...
No, it's really not.
People are missing the point of the comic - it's not that men are attracted to yoga pants and ponytails (she just mentioned that in passing only).
The point is that men are attracted to femininity.
haha, love the businesswoman mouse with the short hair
People are missing the point of the comic - it's not that men are attracted to yoga pants and ponytails (she just mentioned that in passing only).
Furthermore, I think the joke is in how much more work there was involved with something that doesn't really work - good job and ivy league degree - than in what would have worked.
No, I think we all get that. The point of the ponytail discussion was to analyze what exactly is feminine and alluring about it.
@ Stickwick: That's a description of my future wife when I first took her shooting (and I really liked the look too).
Youth, or the illusion of youth.
Is it actually a common belief that achievement is a way to catch a man, rather than simply a path to extra money and some feminist idea of "fulfilment"? Traditional gender roles seem to be somewhat stronger here in the American South, so I could have easily missed that meme -- this is the first I've heard of it.
Many women mistakenly believe that men should find achievement and "confidence" attractive because those are the same traits they are looking for in men. A surprisingly common misconception among women age 50 and younger.
I hate yoga pants. My wife wears them and I call them her ninja pants. Good thing she's so great that she could wear a used garbage bag and I'd still think she was awesome.
Ponytails are a plus though :-)
On the other hand, I dislike most jewelry and makeup. Keep it simple.
"Pony tails and yoga pants" -- too true!!
It works. :-)
I would be more interested in a comic from a sigma's POV, and without animal people...
The art is lacking but the characters' poses are excellent.
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