# Ladies, what kind of build do you like in a man? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 8, 2005, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-kind-of-build-do-you-like-in-a-man/293555 "2005-03-08T18:02:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![UnwrittenNocturne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/6de8d8/32.png) [@UnwrittenNocturne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UnwrittenNocturne)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2005, 7:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-kind-of-build-do-you-like-in-a-man/293555/81 "2005-03-12T07:50:56Z")
I know you said ladies, but what the hell. I prefer men that are slim androgynes, preferably black-clad and pierced, with either wild haircuts or long hair. ---
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2005, 9:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-kind-of-build-do-you-like-in-a-man/293555/82 "2005-03-12T09:22:30Z")
Big ,strong well-muscled, particularly with big shoulders, chest, and arms, but with a teddy bear bit of extra padding. In my dating experiences, the teddy bear has proven over and over again to not only be the most attractive to me, but have the best and sweetest personality as well. So, chubby but strong teddy for me. Actually, my sister coined the phrase “Tezzly bear” (tezzly, combination of teddy and grizzly) to describe this type. Big and strong, but with that extra cuddle of overweight padding too. ---
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2005, 9:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-kind-of-build-do-you-like-in-a-man/293555/83 "2005-03-12T09:24:56Z")
> [@pokey](#): > > . I don’t like gym bodies. Ditto that, I forgot to add. No gymrats please. ---
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2005, 9:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-kind-of-build-do-you-like-in-a-man/293555/84 "2005-03-12T09:36:11Z")
> [@Walloon](#): > > Tall seems to have come up many times here. Why is that a plus? For me? I’m 5’6", a man who is at least 6 foot makes a much better dance partner match for me, much easier for spins, lifts and turns. 'Specially lifts. A short guy, well, the leverage would be all off, not to mention it just looks better for performance or competition. And, like someone else mentioned, it’s just a turn on when the man is bigger than you are. And conversely, a turn off if he’s smaller. ---
**Author:** ![UntouchedTakeaway](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/d78d45/32.png) [@UntouchedTakeaway](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UntouchedTakeaway)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2005, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-kind-of-build-do-you-like-in-a-man/293555/85 "2005-03-12T13:49:10Z")
I thought I had a particular type, but as I sat to respond to this, I realize I don’t. These are celebrities whose builds I find attractive: James Gandolfini Sam Elliott Antonio Banderas I must be a wanton - I have no particular type. 😛 VCNJ~ ---
**Author:** ![kimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f0a364/32.png) [@kimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kimera)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2005, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-kind-of-build-do-you-like-in-a-man/293555/86 "2005-03-12T21:59:35Z")
> [@UnwrittenNocturne](#): > > I prefer men that are slim androgynes, preferably black-clad and pierced, with either wild haircuts or long hair. I am a woman and this is what I prefer. I like men who can pass for women. The chest has to be flat and the shoulders wide and the abdomen flat with a light 4 pack. I like the abdomen to be as fit as possible before it gets hard instead of soft. I like a nice ass, one that sticks out so I can squeeze it to my heart’s content. I like them to be between 5’4 and 5’10, taller than me but not by too much. Hair is a huge turn off. I like them to be as hairless as possible. Guys that shave their legs and arms are sexy in my book. Soft skin is nice too. Fat is a huge turn off. I like the stomach to be a bit pudgy, but I don’t think I could date a man who was overweight unless his personality was the most amazing I had ever encountered in my entire life. There are no American movie stars that have my ideal body type. 😕 Not that I know of anyway. Personality wise - macho guys are a huge turn off. Yuck. Most of them men who are attracted to me are macho guys and they just annoy me. Intelligence is what I prefer the most. You have to be smarter than me. It’s not hard. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Andre\_Stephan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Andre\_Stephan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andre_Stephan)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2017, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-kind-of-build-do-you-like-in-a-man/293555/87 "2017-07-03T00:06:08Z")
> [@Miss\_Violaceous](#): > > My ideal is the swimmer’s build. It is the right amount of muscle. Bulgy muscles are really a turnoff to me, especially the kind that look like they are the product of lots of time in the gym (as opposed to swimmers, who have muscles that are supposedly developed a moderate amount from pursuing a sport they are passionate about). I’ve never dated a guy like that. I’ve dated: short/skinny, verrry tall/skinny, and now I’m with a medium/teddy bear (although I’d like him to be a medium/teddy bear with a bit of a flatter stomach. :-D) Im not all that strong yet but im quite passionate about competitively powerliftig and I just wanted to know if you find that as un-attractive as the average stereotypical douche that goes in the gym to look good for others? P.S. I just wanted you to know that powerlifters arent always fat hairy man beast and i dont plan to look like that. The elite ones actually look like pro bodybuilders although I plan on getting lean Im not gonna look like that. Oh yeah and if it makes a difference im 5’6 and broad shouldered. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2017, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-kind-of-build-do-you-like-in-a-man/293555/88 "2017-07-03T00:14:31Z")
Well, I’m not sure any of them hung around 12 years to find out about this. ---
**Author:** ![Patx2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/73ab20/32.png) [@Patx2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patx2)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2017, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-kind-of-build-do-you-like-in-a-man/293555/89 "2017-07-03T16:03:43Z")
> [@Medea\_s\_Child](#): > > Swimmers - tall, big shoulders, nice ass, strong without being musclebound. > > Though higher on my list are hands - strong, long fingered, blunt tipped. I drool over guys hands. Especially if they have some skill with them, piano, guitar, martial arts… Yes, to the swimmer. I dated one for several years. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2017, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-kind-of-build-do-you-like-in-a-man/293555/90 "2017-07-03T18:55:04Z")
> [@cuauhtemoc](#): > > I was halfway kidding. But it’s generally considered to be in poor taste for men to sit around talking about women’s bodies in mixed company. Is it really ‘mixed company’ if the thread is addressed to women? Anyone in this thread chooses to be here, knowing full well the subject matter, so it’s not the same as a spontaneous conversation in mixed company. I like my men short and pretty, and clean-shaven. Weight is not a huge deal to me either way. My husband is 5’7’’ and around 145 pounds, with a clean shaven baby face and stunning brown eyes. The perfect build would be short and kind of stocky. For some reason I go crazy for that combo of strength in a short package. I also dig the tall, gangly nerd look, but IME those guys aren’t interested in me. The short ones are. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2017, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-kind-of-build-do-you-like-in-a-man/293555/91 "2017-07-03T19:24:52Z")
> [@look\_ninjas](#): > > Standard disclaimer: I have been attracted to (and, when possible, dated) both the short and tall, the firm and the pudgy, the hirsute and the hairless. But there are two kinds of guys that I notice immediately - the tall, lanky, slightly nerdy types (especially if they have glasses on… mmm, glasses…); and the small but wiry types (think Bruce Lee). And, sad to say, I do have a touch of the yellow fever - all guys are good, but Asian guys just have the most marvelous bone structure. Love a man with good cheekbones. We have similar taste, and I find many Asian men hot as hell. It always blows my mind when I read about how they have trouble being viewed as sexually desirable, or that they get fewer hits on dating sites. Aziz Ansari, who is of Indian descent, recently broached this phenomenon on his excellent show _Master of None_, and [Aziz Ansari](https://cache.mrporter.com/journal-images/production/b66baedb-e8ee-425b-8239-8f9784bb5ea7) is a really good example of a guy I would totally be DTF. [QUOTE=Medea’s child] Though higher on my list are hands - strong, long fingered, blunt tipped. I drool over guys hands. Especially if they have some skill with them, piano, guitar, martial arts… [/QUOTE] Oh, yes, man hands. I think very dirty thoughts about man hands. I think [Jensen Ackles](http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mqfp0xxspQ1qehul1o1_1374658161_cover.jpg) of _Supernatural_ fame is one of the hottest men in existence, and I am not given to fantasize about celebrities. He has more of the stereotypical muscular build, but that face. Ohhhh, that face. I want to eat it. I’m not sure how tall he actually is, but he always looks short next to Jared Padalecki. And shout out to [Chris Hardwick](http://www.adweek.com/wp-content/uploads/files/news_article/chris-hardwick-01-2015.jpg), my favorite clean-cut geek shorty, and by all appearances a phenomenal human being. I fucking love men. [QUOTE=cuauhtemoc] So anyway, not that anyone asked, but I like soft, curvy female bodies with full breasts. I also like tall, strong, athletic female bodies. Height is always nice, but not a requirement. I could go on, but I’ll save it in the event somebody actually starts that thread. [/QUOTE] It’s worth noting that when research is done on this sort of thing, it has been found that women have a much more diverse view about what physical characteristics are desirable in a man, whereas men’s views are more universal. IOW, this thread is likely to be more interesting than one about men’s preferences. I fit your first description, though, so there’s a little self-esteem boost. ---
**Author:** ![Jennshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Jennshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jennshark)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2017, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-kind-of-build-do-you-like-in-a-man/293555/92 "2017-07-03T19:43:12Z")
Long, long ago when I was “straight” (or kinda bisexual), I liked burly/bearish guys – big in a kind of lumberjack way. I’m a big-boned gal and liked my guys to be larger than me.\* However, I often ended up dating rail-thin, shorter guys. One skinny little guy I broke up with ended up being a competitive bodybuilder – wow, did he look good! - Oddly, perhaps, I like thin, athletic women. ---
**Author:** ![dirty\_hippie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/57b2e6/32.png) [@dirty\_hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dirty_hippie)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2017, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-kind-of-build-do-you-like-in-a-man/293555/93 "2017-07-03T23:14:23Z")
Hmmm, intrigued by some of the responses. As a guy who’s not very tall (ok, more on the short side), kinda handsome, somewhat smart, not very masculine…I might have a chance! Sent from my C6916 using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![Marci\_Al](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e47c2d/32.png) [@Marci\_Al](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marci_Al)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2017, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-kind-of-build-do-you-like-in-a-man/293555/94 "2017-07-03T23:15:56Z")
Ok, I get it. None of the ladies here go for short, skinny, chain-smoking, obnoxious, middle-aged Asians. Time to look for a new forum. ---
**Author:** ![anomalous1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e56c9b/32.png) [@anomalous1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anomalous1)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2017, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-kind-of-build-do-you-like-in-a-man/293555/95 "2017-07-03T23:22:19Z")
> [@Dark\_Side\_of\_the\_Floyd](#): > > Oh, and I forgot. I like semi-large noses. I’ve heard it described as having “a Roman nose”. Yeah. That is very hot to me. > > Guys that have a _slightly_ receding hairline are sexy. Sexier is shoulder length hair. Sexiest is short spiked-in-the-front hair. > > And eyebrow piercings… _growl_ > > If he can play an instrument, it’s a plus. A big, fat plus. Even better if it’s an electric bass. > > I _love_ white and Asian guys. A tall Asian guy with glasses wearing a suit turns my head faster than the girl from The Exorcist. Although, if I really like somebody, it won’t matter what they are. > > And neckties are important to me. No ugly patterns, or tacky neckties with naked ladies on them. Nothing is hotter than seeing a guy take off his necktie at the end of the day and unbuttoning his shirt. Nothing. Except maybe wearing pants and ironing his dress shirt. > > Being taller than me is a must. I’m 5’8". I would like to feel protected, as one poster said before. > Ok, I’ve gone on long enough. I’m going to go take a cold bath now… 5’10, Roman nose, hair spiked in front, decently muscular (strong arms, no man boobs), eyebrow piercing, guitar (lapsed)… 1 year older than you. How you doing? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Nawth\_Chucka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c57346/32.png) [@Nawth\_Chucka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nawth_Chucka)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2017, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-kind-of-build-do-you-like-in-a-man/293555/96 "2017-07-05T17:22:00Z")
> [@dirty\_hippie](#): > > Hmmm, intrigued by some of the responses. As a guy who’s not very tall (ok, more on the short side), kinda handsome, somewhat smart, not very masculine…I might have a chance! > > Sent from my C6916 using Tapatalk Absolutely; I’ve been happily dating a guy for two years who’s 5’6" and struggles to hit 140 lbs even when he’s working hard to add muscle. He’s very smart and artistic and his build is just one of the many qualities that enjoy b/c they’re attached to his wonderfully sexy brain. There are buff guys whose hotness I’d enjoy looking at but I wouldn’t bother to engage them unless I knew something good about their mind. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-kind-of-build-do-you-like-in-a-man/293555.md?page=4)