CELEBRITY STYLE SPY: See all the latest celeb photos

Men prefer English rose

Print
Share
Comment

Keira Knightley

Men do not just prefer blondes, but apparently are more attracted to the fairer-skinned, traditional English rose, a new study suggests.

Scientists studied attractiveness in men and women and overall men preferred fairer women, whilst women were the opposite, favouring darker, brooding men.

According to the study men were drawn to fairer-skinned women as they appear 'innocent' and 'pure'.

The research from the University of Toronto suggests we should all drop the fake tan now as it seems men are attractted to Keira Knightley types, rather than more olive-skinned women like Penelope Cruz.

And it appears men should be modelling themselves on the likes of stars such as Johnny Depp and Colin Farrell, with darker complexions, because they are associated with 'virility and mystery'.

Dr Shyon Baumann, a sociologist involved in the study commented on the results: 'What the research shows is that our aesthetic preferences operate to reflect moral preferences. Within our cultures we have a set of ideals about how women should look and behave.'

He added: 'On average, fair complexions in women are the dominant aesthetic ideal because sexual modesty and conventional femininity are the dominant behavioural ideal for women.'

Monday 17 March 2008

Have your say ...

Add your own comment

Is this a joke? I can't believe that this 'study' has been blindly reproduced on this website!
Comment by Anna-Marie on March 17 09:49

Dear Anna-Marie,

We're not necessarily saying we agree with this report, just presenting the results, which come from a reputable university, for our readers to pass their own judgement on.

Best wishes,
Carla
Comment by Carla Bevan, marieclaire.co.uk editor on March 17 11:38

Yes, maybe this is true in Europe and America.

But not in africa. Because I'm pretty sure the guys there don't go running after the albinos there.
Comment by Nicky on February 12 20:23