Red instinctively makes men want to date and spend money on women. Shopping time!
By Melissa Noble — Written on Oct 29, 2008
Aside from wearing black when I'm bloated and white when I'm feeling clean, I'd rejected any bull-hooey theories that the color of my clothes mean anything.
However, according to a new study by two Rochester psychologists published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, it would behoove me to stock up on red when I've got a hot date (or would like one).
Men, they say, not only feel more amorous toward women when in red but are more likely to shell out extra money when with them. To make it even sweeter, they are completely unaware of the color red and its bewitching effects. Trickery! (But don't let it get out)
When given a series of female faces, men consistently found the ones wearing red or in a red-outlined frame, more attractive and thus worth a larger slice of the $100 psychologists alloted for an imaginary date.
Slightly piggish in nature, of course, women in red were never perceived any better in terms of likability, intelligence, or kindness. The same gals in gray, blue or green (although perfectly lovely) were not going to enjoy the nicer restaurant or cab ride home, quite like the lady in red. (Note to self)
On the one hand, this is surprising news. I have long thought the whole racy red cliche was just a hackneyed marketing scheme to get tight, crimson dresses off the racks. Red doesn't even flatter everyone's skin tone.
I find my little black dress to be way more titillating than any ruddy article of clothing in my closet.
On the other hand, as the scientists point out, much of our red hot reactions are conditioned from moment one. Red roses, red lips, Valentines Day, and red-light districts have long played a role in sex and romance.
Red is only the enemy when under fluorescent lights and on the playing field. Red flags and red marks psych out competitors and test takers.
But when it comes to sex, blood-shot colors have got it made. Patterns in nature, like female baboons and chimpanzees who redden when ovulating, are helping inch science closer and closer to declaring red the horniest shade of the rainbow.