Does the colour of a man’s shirt affect their attractiveness?

A man might ask himself a few questions when he is about to purchase a new shirt: will it match with my jeans? Does the material feel of high quality? Is it appropriate for the dress code? One question that men should also be asking is — what does this colour say about me?

Psychological research has determined that the colour of a man’s shirt can determine how attractive they are viewed as. For example, if they’re looking to come across as powerful; choose red. If a man wants to show confidence, they should opt for black. We have teamed up with Charles Tyrwhitt, experts in gentlemen’s fashion and retailers of morning suits, to investigate further and find out which colours women prefer on men.

Which colours impress?

When shopping for something that will make them look attractive, a man should consider the following colours…

Optimistic white

When looking to appear effortless and clean, men often opt for white. Fortunately for them, white scored highly on the attractiveness rate. It was perceived to be the least arrogant colour and instead gave off the impression that the wearer was full of optimism! A white shirt is a classic look for men when they are choosing an outfit for a formal event. However, during research, it was the definitive white t-shirt and jeans combo that caught women’s eyes and was perceived to be the more attractive look for a man.

Powerful red

Associated with attraction and love, red is a signifier of romance. It is thought that the attraction to red comes from our biological roots — many animals such as baboons are attracted to the opposite sex if they display bright colours. To wear this on a first date might be slightly overpowering, however it does give off some vibes that a woman might be interested in.

Powerful and high social status are two things that came to mind when a woman was shown a man in red. Research found that wearing red can actually boost the wearer’s confidence, which will be a good thing during a first date for women who are looking for a man with some self-assurance. A red shirt can indicate good health and financial stability, two more things a woman may have on their checklists when looking for a new partner.

There are many colours on the shelves for men to choose from. So, how did red score against other colours? It was found to be more attractive than blue or green. This perception was global — wherever a man goes in a red shirt, they should expect to get a similar reception. It was found that a red shirt didn’t make the man look any kinder or more sociable however.

Confident men in black

Black hasn’t always been a staple colour in the wardrobe. But now, it’s had a new lease of life and is worn by many fashionable individuals. Similar to red, black can be perceived as the colour of self-assurance — 56% of women said that it inspired confidence. Other comments included that the colour black made the wearer appear more intelligent and sexy — perfect for a first date!

When choosing an outfit for a classy event, black is often the go-to. Too much black can be overpowering, though. So, if you’re shopping with your other half, encourage them not to pair a black shirt with a black jacket, pants and shoes.

The unattractive colours

There are a few colours that weren’t deemed as good looking as the others. In many surveys revolving around the attractiveness of colour, orange and brown consistently performed poorly. They often are perceived as quite boring, drab colours although an orange shirt could brighten up an outfit nicely on a summer’s day.

Extra hints

When shopping with your other half or buying them a Christmas present, consider the following tips:

• Many men look great in a colour that matches their eyes. If you have green eyes, perhaps opt for a moss green shirt — a popular colour this season.
• Avoid wearing dark colours if you have a light complexion, this can really draw your skin tone out and make you appear paler.
• If you have dark hair, opt for bright colours as these are likely to complement you more.