Why You Should Wear Red on a Date (2024)

The color red is associated with seduction for a reason: Wearing it isn't just attractive to men—it can apparently make other women see you as a sexual threat too. New York magazine shared the findings of this new research study.

"I was notorious for saying you'll never meet someone in a nightclub. Boy, was I wrong!" —Hannah Bronfman Bronfman, 26, a DJ and cofounder of the app Beautified, was impressed when entrepreneur and DJ Brendan Fallis, 34, pursued her, making all the plans. On their ideal date: "We bike to five new restaurants in NYC, and we'll order a small plate and co*cktail at each stop," he says. (For an exclusive look at Bronfman's beauty tricks, check out her Beauty Diaries.) On Hannah: Dress, Dolce & Gabbana; necklace, Symbol Tree by Clarissa Bronfman; bracelet, Cartier; red bangle, Hermes.

Michael Sanders

Hannah Bronfman wears red on date night.

Female participants looked at photos of a woman wearing red, white, or green. Then they evaluated how much they agreed with various statements about the woman (like how interested in sex she was, how faithful she seemed, and how willing they would be to let their guy hang out alone with her). Participants rated the woman in red as more interested in sex, less faithful, and more threatening to their relationships than when she was in other colors. Interesting, right?

Other research in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology shows that men think women in red are more attractive because they seem more sexually receptive (a.k.a. open to getting down). Bottom line: It's a color with some interesting connotations.

In anecdotal evidence, I've often found myself reaching for red when I have a big date. I had no idea those inclinations could be rooted in psychology. Science is sneaky.

Do you associate certain colors with different romantic scenarios? What color is your favorite date outfit?

Why You Should Wear Red on a Date (2024)

FAQs

Why You Should Wear Red on a Date? ›

In 2008, two University of Rochester psychologists stated, “the color red makes men feel more amorous toward women. And men are unaware of the role the color plays in their attraction.” An even more fascinating discovery was that men are willing to spend more on a date if the woman is wearing red.

What is the best color for a date? ›

  • Darker shades of green can help you exude confidence. ...
  • Wearing blue might help you seem trustworthy. ...
  • Purple is considered to be the color of connection and relationships. ...
  • Wearing red might help you feel more attractive. ...
  • Incorporating magenta into your outfit can spark conversation.
Apr 24, 2024

Why do guys like it when you wear red? ›

The connection between the color red and sexual attraction may be a result of social conditioning. In ancient mythologyand folklore, red is associated with fertility. Similarly, red was used as a symbol of fertility in the rituals of ancient civilizations.

Why is wearing red more attractive? ›

The Color Red Symbolizes Passion and Desire

Perhaps not surprisingly, red also symbolizes passion, love, and desire. These associations could explain why people wearing red are consistently rated as more attractive by the opposite sex.

Why is it important to wear red? ›

National Wear Red Day and What It Means

Today is National Wear Red Day to help raise awareness for Heart Disease.

When a woman wears red on a date? ›

If she's wearing red, chances are she thinks your handsome. A recent study finds that women wear red when they believe they're meeting an attractive man and avoid the color when they're around men they aren't attracted to, proving women subconsciously use color to express romantic interest.

What color to wear for attraction? ›

Sidhu and colleagues found that black and red clothing produced the highest ratings of body attractiveness and slimmer body size judgments. In contrast, grey and green clothes produced the lowest body attractiveness and highest body size assessments.

Why does red turn men on? ›

Men rate women wearing red clothing as being more interested in sex, hinting that humans may be conditioned to associate the color with fertility. The pull of red is nothing new. Women have donned pinkish blush and bright lipstick for nearly 12,000 years.

Should I wear red on a first date? ›

A scientific study shows that red is not really the best colour to wear on your first date. Instead, another colour helps you stand out more and attract your potential mate.

What color do men find most attractive? ›

In descending order (from most to least attractive), the colors were rated this way: Red, Black, Blue, Green, Yellow, and White. White was the least attractive. Most Attractive Color STUDY 2: The researchers didn't stop there.

What's the most romantic color? ›

If red and pink are considered the two most romantic colors, purple probably snags third place. And like red, purple makes a bold statement. However, purple hues aren't as stimulating as red shades.

Which color is more romantic? ›

Red. The colour most commonly associated with love, it makes sense to have this one up top.

What are the colors of dates? ›

Dates' colour is more a sign of their freshness and variation than of their nutritional value. Depending on the variety, dates can be found in a range of colours, including yellow, red, brown, and black. Dates are typically regarded as a healthy food option when it comes to their nutritional worth.

Which color attracts guys? ›

Red. Red is the color of romance and passion and is very popular with strong men looking for a challenge. Weak men tend to shy away from women who wear red, seeing them as headstrong and overpowering. If you love the color red, be careful — the wrong shade can overpower you or highlight skin imperfections.

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