What does Red do for You? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

genuinegirly · 10-28-2008, 07:56 PM

An interesting bit of news from CNN, brought to you by the color red. - link.

Quote:

Wearing red may boost your sex appeal

By Theresa Tamkins

Does wearing the color red give you a sexual edge? Maybe, according to a new study, which found that men find women sexier if they're sporting a crimson hue rather than, say, blue or green.

However, red won't make you look smarter or more competent, says study author Andrew Elliot, Ph.D., a professor of psychology at the University of Rochester in New York.

"We only found the effect for attraction, so males don't rate females in red as more intelligent, more likable, or as having a better personality; they only rate her as sexier and more attractive," he says.

Men also were more likely to say they wanted to have sex with a woman and that they would be willing to spend more on a date if she were in red, according to the report in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.

In a series of five studies, about 150 heterosexual men (homosexual men and those with red-green color blindness were excluded) rated photographs of women framed in red, white, gray, green, or blue, or with the woman in a red or blue shirt.

On a 7-point scale, with 1 being the least sexy and 7 a white-hot sex goddess, the color red added about 1.25 points to the rating, says Elliot.

That's nice, but given the looming election, one might wonder: Does wearing red make you more attractive in the voting booth too?

Elliot says the study results don't really apply to the presidential candidates. However, he does say that red can be a negative color, depending on the setting.

"We actually have other research showing that red on the cover of an IQ test leads to worse performance, so red is actually a negative color [in some instances]," says Elliot.

"In terms of the election, I will say that if a politician wears a red tie he -- or she -- may be viewed as more dominant and that might have an effect, but again, that's way beyond our data," he explains. "Red in competence and achievement settings has a negative effect, so these things are really hard to talk about and predict right now."

Why is red so sexy? The researchers have a couple of theories.

One is cultural: From red roses to Valentine's Day, red is the universally recognized sign of romance; it makes sense that men may subconsciously associate the color red with sex.

"We think that red, due to the association with hearts and Valentine's Day and lingerie and things like that, takes on a sexy meaning," says Elliot. "There's also a possibility -- a rather provocative possibility -- that there's a deeply embedded sort of tendency for heterosexual men to see red as an attraction cue because that's what happens in the wild."

For example, the rumps of some primates turn red during ovulation, so it's possible that men have some tiny portion deep in their brain that recognizes red as a mating symbol -- even though it's an association that hasn't come in handy for a few million years.

And it's not just men. The researchers think that women will find the color sexy too (tests are under way), possibly because red symbolizes dominance in male primates.

However, it's all speculation at this point. The study can't determine if red is sexy because we're all just a bunch of animals running around in business suits, or if red is a culturally determined sex symbol. It also can't determine if wearing red has an effect outside the laboratory.

"In the real world, we have a welter of information coming at us about smell, sight, words -- who knows what accounts for the most variance in liking and behavior?" says Elliot. "My strong guess is that if you bring this to the real world and have females who are interested in their date and wear red, they are sending the message to the male that a male isn't even aware of -- they are sending a message that 'I'm available'."

----------------------
Sunday I wore a red blouse with a black skirt and heels. The first thing my husband said when he saw the outfit: "You look good!" He then took a double-take, looked me up and down, and said "You look really good!" I thought that was odd, but I kissed him anyway. I wasn't wearing makeup. I hadn't done my hair. I thought at the time it was because I was wearing heels. But heels rarely merit such a response. After reading that article, I think it had everything to do with that red blouse.

What does red do for you?

If you're a woman, what responses have you received when you have worn red for an evening out?
If you're a man, do you find yourself attracted to a woman wearing red?

LoganSnake · 10-28-2008, 08:09 PM

Never noticed. However, I strongly dislike red lipstick and finger/toe nail polish. Especially red toenails. *shudder*

As for clothes, it depends on a woman. Some look good in red, some don't. I'm attracted to shapes and faces rather than colors.

lostgirl · 10-28-2008, 08:21 PM

I have been told I look good in red by my SO. I also seem to get more attention from random men when I am out wearing a red dress.

inBOIL · 10-29-2008, 12:54 AM

Ditto on the dislike for red lipstick and nail polish. As for clothing, I think red would tend to repel me slightly, as I prefer cooler colors, but overall the effect would probably be minimal.

SabrinaFair · 10-29-2008, 04:16 AM

Hmmm. I'm wondering if this works for all shades of red. I can't wear true red, because of my hair color. May have to run some unscientific experiments next time I go out.

Bill O'Rights · 10-29-2008, 04:40 AM

Red is my favorite color, so my opinions may be a bit skewed.
My wife is a brunette, and I like her in red.
But, it's no secret that I really like redheads.
Redheads do not carry off red clothing very well, but look damned good in green.

little_tippler · 10-29-2008, 04:46 AM

Yes, a red dress can work wonders. You do need to have the confidence to wear it though.

Red to me is a colour of passion, intensity, vigour, impulse, boldness. I like to wear it and luckily the colour suits me.

Red lipstick can work if worn with the right outfit, and you have the right complexion for it. Red nail polish...not so much.

Some women look awful in red - it doesn't suit their appearance. Some women look smoking hot. I'd say a hot lady wearing a red dress versus a hot lady wearing a blue dress would generally win. Though they can both look equally beautiful, the attention the lady in the red dress gets will be more intense. Though it can be a bad, ogling, sexual kind of intense. But hey, if you like that sort of thing.

As a final note:

ASU2003 · 10-29-2008, 04:49 AM

Pink is my favorite color for girls to wear.

little_tippler · 10-29-2008, 06:07 AM

^ Funny that, I know a lot of guys who say the same thing! I wonder why?

Amaras · 10-29-2008, 06:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by little_tippler

^ Funny that, I know a lot of guys who say the same thing! I wonder why?

LT, pinks and reds have long been associated with our primary instinct for
procreation. As a man, I am driven towards noticing those colours for
*ahem* good reasons. Same for breasts on a woman. Why are we the
only mammal that sometimes seems to select for engorged (read: full of
milk) breasts?

As for red, it doesn't do a lot for me. Exceptions include those few pale
women who can carry it off.

allaboutmusic · 10-29-2008, 07:04 AM

I can't stand girls wearing pink. Any other colour is better.

snowy · 10-29-2008, 07:29 AM

I prefer black. Black makes me feel sexy.

Admittedly, my favorite dress from high school was a clingy sheath of red jersey material with another sheath of stretchy black lace over it. It was the best of both!

Zeraph · 10-29-2008, 08:17 AM

For me it depends more on context than the person or color. Like that red dress in the matrix clip above, was a great contrasting color that made her look sexy because everyone else was wearing black and white.

Halx · 10-29-2008, 08:45 AM

Girls in red instantly draw my gaze. It is a bold color to wear, especially in New York. If you wear red around me, it's like a home beacon for my eyeballs. I, on the other hand, never wear red.

curiousbear · 10-29-2008, 09:05 AM

Red always attracts me. sometimes positive sometimes in a irritant way. Dress, scrarf, t-shirt, lips, nipples, genitals all these in red - I like them.

Red lipstick and red nailpolish just irritates me.

Back in college I purposely wore red t-shirts when ever I am about to indulge in some issues or disputes. I never analyzed why, but I always did.

CinnamonGirl · 10-29-2008, 09:10 AM

I prefer cooler colors (over half my closet is blue or green), but I seem to get more random compliments when I wear red.

Come to think of it, my favorite shirt of my boyfriend's is red. Interesting.

Lindy · 10-29-2008, 10:39 AM

Hmmm?? I'd guess the same thing is true in car colors as clothing. "Arrest me" red at least attracts cops. Although any really BRIGHT color tends to attract the eye.

Lindy

Willravel · 10-29-2008, 10:59 AM

I've never noticed anything special about women wearing red, but it makes sense. When people are sexually stimulated, the often become flushed which is a hue of red. It's the same reason women wear red lipstick.

World's King · 10-29-2008, 11:40 AM

It makes no difference to me. At least not that I've noticed.

They never have their clothes on long enough...

ngdawg · 10-29-2008, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill O'Rights

Red is my favorite color, so my opinions may be a bit skewed.
My wife is a brunette, and I like her in red.
But, it's no secret that I really like redheads.
Redheads do not carry off red clothing very well, but look damned good in green.

I couldn't wear green if my life depended on it. I look like I have a terminal illness if I wear green or yellow.

I can, however, wear very bright red; it's a fallacy that someone with red hair can't wear red. If anything, our hair and skin reflects the colors we put on. My hair looks redder with reds, burgundies and, for some reason, black. It looks dull if I wear beiges or blues. Same with my skin-looks sallow in anything with yellow or orange, but rosy in reds and pinks.

cadre · 10-29-2008, 12:56 PM

I don't know that this is something you would notice about yourself but it seems like something that's more subconscious. I've always known different colors were associated with different things, red is also associated with hunger (thus all the red in restaurants). It's not a stretch to think that men find women in red more attractive but I can't say I've noticed it.

I'll have to go find me a bright red dress or blouse and do an experiment.

lostgirl · 10-29-2008, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill O'Rights

Redheads do not carry off red clothing very well, but look damned good in green.

I may be wrong, but I think it kind of depends on the type of red hair. I have natural auburn hair but I dye my hair bright red. It's almost the color of my avatar's hair, just a bit darker. It seems to go OK with red as long as I break it up with other colors.

I only have one blouse that is all red and my SO loves when I wear it.

I do like green, specially since it sets off my green eyes.

I am most comfortable in black, like snowy, it's a sexy color.

jewels · 10-29-2008, 04:02 PM

I think it also depends on the shade of red. I used to be able to wear what they used to call "fuck me" red polish and lipstick. I even had the matching heels and purse.

But if I wear a red with more orange or brown to it, I get washed out. Same with greens and yellows. If they're pastel or wimpy shades, they're awful. But if they're vivid, cool shades they work with my complexion. At one time, I thought I couldn't wear brown but found a couple of shades that really work well.

Most of us fall into either cool or warm shades and can wear any color, but the trick is finding the tone (or is it hue?) that works best with our skin.

So, red definitely used to make me feel energetic and sexy, 'specially that little red dress or Jones NY suit. But I'm learning that when you reach a certain (ahem) point, you'll want to stick to subtle hints of red (lingerie is good!) as a lot of red will tend accentuate the same thing that too much makeup accentuates when you hit this (ahem) point.

Charlatan · 10-29-2008, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by World's King

It makes no difference to me. At least not that I've noticed.

They never have their clothes on long enough...

Red tattoos?

genuinegirly · 10-29-2008, 04:45 PM

Thank you for the great responses, everyone!

Hyacinthe · 10-30-2008, 08:04 PM

I'm very lucky when it comes to wearing colours - almost black hair, dark eyes and pale skin (Italian colouring I've been told though there's no Italian in my family background) So I can wear most colours (though blue and yellow don't look fab)

I do tend towards bright colours - lots of emerald greens, reds, oranges, purples etc etc in my wardrobe (easily seen because of my compusive habit of arranging my clothes by colour and hue).
I tend to stay away from bright red nails and lips though, I go for either pinks, browns and maroons there.

I've found I get alot more cumstomers at work though if I wear red so might be true, either that or it's just the contrast since everyone else there tends towards black.

I don't know if I would say red makes me feel sexy (heck I am wearing red atm and not trying to be sexy) I just like the way it interacts with my skin and hair tones

neflyte · 10-31-2008, 04:03 PM

perhaps this is why i have more red underwear than any other colour.

red definitely makes me feel sexy.

Starkizzer · 10-31-2008, 11:22 PM

I for some reason, have a perfect skin complexion for the color red. I have been told that with my hair short I look like snow white. im2smrt4u loves me in red, this is the reason that my wedding dress has red as the accent color.

10-28-2008, 08:09 PM	#2 (permalink)
LoganSnake We work alone Location: Cake Town	Never noticed. However, I strongly dislike red lipstick and finger/toe nail polish. Especially red toenails. shudder As for clothes, it depends on a woman. Some look good in red, some don't. I'm attracted to shapes and faces rather than colors. __________________ Maturity is knowing you were an idiot in the past. Wisdom is knowing that you'll be an idiot in the future. Common sense is knowing that you should try not to be an idiot now. - J. Jacques

10-29-2008, 12:54 AM	#4 (permalink)
inBOIL I have eaten the slaw	Ditto on the dislike for red lipstick and nail polish. As for clothing, I think red would tend to repel me slightly, as I prefer cooler colors, but overall the effect would probably be minimal. __________________ And you believe Bush and the liberals and divorced parents and gays and blacks and the Christian right and fossil fuels and Xbox are all to blame, meanwhile you yourselves create an ad where your kid hits you in the head with a baseball and you don't understand the message that the problem is you.

10-29-2008, 04:16 AM	#5 (permalink)
SabrinaFair Junkie Location: Louisville, KY	Hmmm. I'm wondering if this works for all shades of red. I can't wear true red, because of my hair color. May have to run some unscientific experiments next time I go out. __________________ "With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy." -Desiderata

10-29-2008, 04:40 AM	#6 (permalink)
Bill O'Rights will always be an Alyson Hanniganite Location: In the dust of the archives	Red is my favorite color, so my opinions may be a bit skewed. My wife is a brunette, and I like her in red. But, it's no secret that I really like redheads. Redheads do not carry off red clothing very well, but look damned good in green. __________________ "I distrust those people who know so well what God wants them to do because I notice it always coincides with their own desires." - Susan B. Anthony "Hedonism with rules isn't hedonism at all, it's the Republican party." - JumpinJesus It is indisputable that true beauty lies within...but a nice rack sure doesn't hurt.

10-29-2008, 04:46 AM	#7 (permalink)
little_tippler Leaning against the -Sun- Super Moderator Location: on the other side	Yes, a red dress can work wonders. You do need to have the confidence to wear it though. Red to me is a colour of passion, intensity, vigour, impulse, boldness. I like to wear it and luckily the colour suits me. Red lipstick can work if worn with the right outfit, and you have the right complexion for it. Red nail polish...not so much. Some women look awful in red - it doesn't suit their appearance. Some women look smoking hot. I'd say a hot lady wearing a red dress versus a hot lady wearing a blue dress would generally win. Though they can both look equally beautiful, the attention the lady in the red dress gets will be more intense. Though it can be a bad, ogling, sexual kind of intense. But hey, if you like that sort of thing. As a final note: __________________ Whether we write or speak or do but look We are ever unapparent. What we are Cannot be transfused into word or book. Our soul from us is infinitely far. However much we give our thoughts the will To be our soul and gesture it abroad, Our hearts are incommunicable still. In what we show ourselves we are ignored. The abyss from soul to soul cannot be bridged By any skill of thought or trick of seeming. Unto our very selves we are abridged When we would utter to our thought our being. We are our dreams of ourselves, souls by gleams, And each to each other dreams of others' dreams. Fernando Pessoa, 1918

10-28-2008, 08:21 PM	#3 (permalink)
lostgirl lightform Location: Edge of the deep green sea	I have been told I look good in red by my SO. I also seem to get more attention from random men when I am out wearing a red dress.

10-29-2008, 04:49 AM	#8 (permalink)
ASU2003 immoral minority Location: Back in Ohio	Pink is my favorite color for girls to wear.

10-29-2008, 06:07 AM	#9 (permalink)
little_tippler Leaning against the -Sun- Super Moderator Location: on the other side	^ Funny that, I know a lot of guys who say the same thing! I wonder why? __________________ Whether we write or speak or do but look We are ever unapparent. What we are Cannot be transfused into word or book. Our soul from us is infinitely far. However much we give our thoughts the will To be our soul and gesture it abroad, Our hearts are incommunicable still. In what we show ourselves we are ignored. The abyss from soul to soul cannot be bridged By any skill of thought or trick of seeming. Unto our very selves we are abridged When we would utter to our thought our being. We are our dreams of ourselves, souls by gleams, And each to each other dreams of others' dreams. Fernando Pessoa, 1918

10-29-2008, 07:04 AM	#11 (permalink)
allaboutmusic Aurally Fixated	I can't stand girls wearing pink. Any other colour is better.

10-29-2008, 07:29 AM	#12 (permalink)
snowy Kick Ass Kunoichi Location: Oregon	I prefer black. Black makes me feel sexy. Admittedly, my favorite dress from high school was a clingy sheath of red jersey material with another sheath of stretchy black lace over it. It was the best of both! __________________ If I am not better, at least I am different. --Jean-Jacques Rousseau

10-29-2008, 08:17 AM	#13 (permalink)
Zeraph Banned Location: The Cosmos	For me it depends more on context than the person or color. Like that red dress in the matrix clip above, was a great contrasting color that made her look sexy because everyone else was wearing black and white.

10-29-2008, 08:45 AM	#14 (permalink)
Halx Please touch this. Owner/Admin Location: Manhattan	Girls in red instantly draw my gaze. It is a bold color to wear, especially in New York. If you wear red around me, it's like a home beacon for my eyeballs. I, on the other hand, never wear red. __________________ You have found this post informative. -The Administrator [Don't Feed The Animals]

10-29-2008, 09:05 AM	#15 (permalink)
curiousbear Addict Location: WA	Red always attracts me. sometimes positive sometimes in a irritant way. Dress, scrarf, t-shirt, lips, nipples, genitals all these in red - I like them. Red lipstick and red nailpolish just irritates me. Back in college I purposely wore red t-shirts when ever I am about to indulge in some issues or disputes. I never analyzed why, but I always did.

10-29-2008, 09:10 AM	#16 (permalink)
CinnamonGirl She's Actual Size Location: Central Republic of Where-in-the-Hell	I prefer cooler colors (over half my closet is blue or green), but I seem to get more random compliments when I wear red. Come to think of it, my favorite shirt of my boyfriend's is red. Interesting. __________________ "...for though she was ordinary, she possessed health, wit, courage, charm, and cheerfulness. But because she was not beautiful, no one ever seemed to notice these other qualities, which is so often the way of the world." "Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"

10-29-2008, 10:39 AM	#17 (permalink)
Lindy Junkie	Hmmm?? I'd guess the same thing is true in car colors as clothing. "Arrest me" red at least attracts cops. Although any really BRIGHT color tends to attract the eye. Lindy

10-29-2008, 10:59 AM	#18 (permalink)
Willravel ... a sort of licensed troubleshooter.	I've never noticed anything special about women wearing red, but it makes sense. When people are sexually stimulated, the often become flushed which is a hue of red. It's the same reason women wear red lipstick.

10-29-2008, 11:40 AM	#19 (permalink)
World's King Here Location: Denver City Denver	It makes no difference to me. At least not that I've noticed. They never have their clothes on long enough... __________________ heavy is the head that wears the crown

10-29-2008, 12:56 PM	#21 (permalink)
cadre The Worst Influence Location: Arizona	I don't know that this is something you would notice about yourself but it seems like something that's more subconscious. I've always known different colors were associated with different things, red is also associated with hunger (thus all the red in restaurants). It's not a stretch to think that men find women in red more attractive but I can't say I've noticed it. I'll have to go find me a bright red dress or blouse and do an experiment. __________________ My life is one of those 'you had to be there' jokes.

10-29-2008, 04:02 PM	#23 (permalink)
jewels Eponymous Location: Central Central Florida	I think it also depends on the shade of red. I used to be able to wear what they used to call "fuck me" red polish and lipstick. I even had the matching heels and purse. But if I wear a red with more orange or brown to it, I get washed out. Same with greens and yellows. If they're pastel or wimpy shades, they're awful. But if they're vivid, cool shades they work with my complexion. At one time, I thought I couldn't wear brown but found a couple of shades that really work well. Most of us fall into either cool or warm shades and can wear any color, but the trick is finding the tone (or is it hue?) that works best with our skin. So, red definitely used to make me feel energetic and sexy, 'specially that little red dress or Jones NY suit. But I'm learning that when you reach a certain (ahem) point, you'll want to stick to subtle hints of red (lingerie is good!) as a lot of red will tend accentuate the same thing that too much makeup accentuates when you hit this (ahem) point. __________________ We are always more anxious to be distinguished for a talent which we do not possess, than to be praised for the fifteen which we do possess. Mark Twain

10-29-2008, 04:45 PM	#25 (permalink)
genuinegirly Eat your vegetables Super Moderator Location: Arabidopsis-ville	Thank you for the great responses, everyone! __________________ "Sometimes I have to remember that things are brought to me for a reason, either for my own lessons or for the benefit of others." Cynthetiq "violence is no more or less real than non-violence." roachboy

10-30-2008, 08:04 PM	#26 (permalink)
Hyacinthe Psycho Location: Australia	I'm very lucky when it comes to wearing colours - almost black hair, dark eyes and pale skin (Italian colouring I've been told though there's no Italian in my family background) So I can wear most colours (though blue and yellow don't look fab) I do tend towards bright colours - lots of emerald greens, reds, oranges, purples etc etc in my wardrobe (easily seen because of my compusive habit of arranging my clothes by colour and hue). I tend to stay away from bright red nails and lips though, I go for either pinks, browns and maroons there. I've found I get alot more cumstomers at work though if I wear red so might be true, either that or it's just the contrast since everyone else there tends towards black. I don't know if I would say red makes me feel sexy (heck I am wearing red atm and not trying to be sexy) I just like the way it interacts with my skin and hair tones __________________ "I want to be remembered as the girl who always smiles even when her heart is broken... and the one that could brighten up your day even if she couldnt brighten her own" "Her emotions were clear waters. You could see the scarring and pockmarks at the bottom of the pool, but it was just a part of her landscape – the consequences of others’ actions in which she claimed no part."

10-31-2008, 04:03 PM	#27 (permalink)
neflyte Tilted Location: Kitchener, ON, CANADA	perhaps this is why i have more red underwear than any other colour. red definitely makes me feel sexy. __________________ "I'm not a vegatarian because I love animals. I'm a vegetarian because I hate plants." -- A. Whitney Brown

10-31-2008, 11:22 PM	#28 (permalink)
Starkizzer Hi floor! Make me a samwich. Location: Ontario (in the stray cat complex)	I for some reason, have a perfect skin complexion for the color red. I have been told that with my hair short I look like snow white. im2smrt4u loves me in red, this is the reason that my wedding dress has red as the accent color. __________________ Frivolity, at the edge of a Moral Swamp, hears Hymn-Singing in the Distance and dons the Galoshes of Remorse. ~Edward Gorey