Hi, I'm a single young female and walking man repeller. (That's me at left.) In fact, my dude-repelling forces are so persuasive, I started a blog about it. There, we dish about many things, but mostly trends which girls find hot -- and men decidedly don't.Two such items appear on our spring wish list: They both happen to be pants. One pair is best described as "Long John trousers," the other as "Tribal Warrior harem pants." We're going to assume you can use your imagination to conjure up what said pants look like. So then, consider this: The mere titles of these pieces are proof that women dress to impress other women. It's a fact of life.
In the last several years though, with the high concentration of menswear-inspired looks trickling down from high fashion runways to the streets we walk, it's come to our attention that many of the choices we make are not only man-unattractive, they're man-repelling. (for a full definition of the phrase, see this article.)
So, if lady turn-on = harem pants and harem pants = man repeller, then by the transitive property of fashion, lady turn-on = man repeller. There's an elegant proof for this somewhere. And yep, we're going home alone tonight.
In meantime, we bring you a look at the nine most man-repelling fashion and beauty trends: The ones you're wearing, we're loving, and he's cursing. Trust us.
Harem Pants The first item on our list is so roomy, it could shelter an army. But let's be honest -- emulating MC Hammer and Aladdin in one look is an immediate fail. As a resident man repeller, I've conducted several social experiments wearing said pants that have thus far only left us home alone with a closet full of drop crotch. But hey, at least our lady friends swooned.
Shoulder PadsWe can blame Balmain (a designer label, for the uninitiated) for this one. To quote my co-editor, "I want to safety-pin shoulder pads into all my white T-shirts." To my quote myself, "I wish the shoulder pads in this shirt were more aggressive." Because who doesn't want to look like a linebacker on a night out on the town? Men love football. On the bright side, at least we aren't taking the '80s cue too literally and complementing huge shoulders with huge hair.
Red LipsBright red lips are a bright red stop sign. An un-kissable, awkward man-repellent. I, like you, happen to love them (see left), but just think about the red lipstick/champagne flute combo. There's no way to be classy -- or sexy -- in that situation. Regardless, I raise my lipstick-stained glass to you, fellow man repellers. Cheers.
Uni-SuitsThis includes full-length jumpsuits, onesies, unitards and overalls. We wore onesies when we were babies. They were cute, and our moms loved them, but we're older now; channeling our infant years is creepy. Full-length jumpsuits leave a little too much to the imagination -- and make your butt look fat regardless of whether it is. And as for overalls and unitards, well, they're best left on their respective farms and local Spider-Women.
"Boyfriend-Fit" Anything"Borrowed from the boys" is a popular tag line used in magazine fashion shoots to describe boyfriend fit clothing. While that's all well and true, consider this: If your boyfriend wanted to date men, chances are he would be. Put on a skirt.
Faux Leopard FurWhile this was a personal favorite fall trend, I will admit that the stuffed-animal-inspired coat functioned primarily as a precaution: "Do Not Enter, Crazy Chick Inside." What's wrong with looking like a product of Toys 'R' Us, you say? Nothing, if you never want to have sex again.
Confusing FootwearClogs are controversial. Even the worst fashion victims (me) are reluctant to succumb to this trend. There's something uncomfortable about channeling the Netherlands solely (heh) through footwear. Even aside from clogs, though, abnormally chunky wedges and the shoes adorned by feathers, fur and crystals that we lust after are reminiscent of a walking circus. Literally.
Head GearThis is a tough trend to nail. The incorporation of, say, a chin strap will dub you a weird equestrian wannabe, at best; a turban may dub you an African princess warrior; and attached metal links forming a headband will undoubtedly dub you an alien-abducted fashion victim. Think before you cap.
Mixed PrintsWe get it -- a floral blazer and striped dress make you look so fine, in a channeling the Anthropologie catalog kind of way. We don't disagree, but to the opposite sex, this sartorial victory reads more like a pattern explosion across your body. Men just won't get it. Though we do.
Also, even though we just rattled off that list, we want you to know that we're not about to quit man repelling and don't advocate that you do either. But don't say we didn't warn you.
Want to read more about man-repelling fashion? Check us out at The Man Repeller and follow us on Twitter!












Comments:
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Wednesday 19 May
By Bug
This article is fantastic but I have a few things to say:
1) I know the writer. She's not white. Some may say Asian but those are people with geographical confusion. Her house is white though.
2) Insert the word "boner" in every other sentence of the article.
3) I don't think the goal is to dress for other women (though said outfits are guaranteed to attract other women). The goal is to dress as bad ass as possible, for the sake of fashion and it's founding fathers: Laurent, Lagerfeld, Lacroix, BALMAIN, Dior... (Pause to genuflect).
Anywho, great article!
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Wednesday 19 May
By Bug **oops!
before I get attacked from the spell check army --
edit: for the sake of fashion and its founding fathers: Laurent, Lagerfeld, Lacroix, BALMAIN, Dior... (Pause to genuflect).
Monday 24 May
By pinky
Back when I was single and past 40 I had a outfit-harem style pants matching strapless top-I wore with matching flats and a jacket with shoulder pads until I got too warm. This DID NOT repel men-I was dating guys 20 years younger!
Monday 24 May
By Elizabeth
When did Balmain become BALMAIN?
Monday 24 May
By Steve & Flor
Why bring up race?.............The author is very attractive. Stunning would be more accurate. Her article is well organized and detailed. Clearly she is quite bright. Clothes and accessories can be a turn-off but a lady's femininity can still show through. Why she feels she is a man-repeller still isn't clear to me. As the saying goes, "she would look good in a burlap sack." I would enjoy preparing a nice meal and sharing a converstion with this lady.
Monday 24 May
By Debi
I do think we dress for women. And those of us who love to follow new fashion trends also understand that we also have to dress for our figure type and to some extent age. There are some men out there who actually understand and appreciate fashion but what a lot of men find sexy is, to me, trashy and I ain't gonna go there, period. I like to have people appriciate my fashion savvy....that would generally be women. The "fashion" examples in this article are not even close to anything fashionable. Faux fur can be really cute. The example coat is from the Salvation Army. We haven't worn shoulder pads since the 70's & early 80's. Borrowed from the boys can be cute and sexy. Absolutely none of the examples were representative of the catagories in a positive way. Too bad that was the only way this author could support her rather lame argument. Why is this article even on a supposedly repectable news and info web site?
Monday 24 May
By ron
your 'e a racist and not too bright! it's common knowledge that woemen dress for other women.
Monday 24 May
By Jo
What the f*** does race have to do with anything mentioned in the article?!?!?!
Wednesday 19 May
By Meta
I agree with all of the list with one exception. Red Lipstick. I love them. I'm a man and many of my male friends love red lips. I'm not sure where the writer got that idea. Speaking for all men: we love them.
Reply
Monday 24 May
By charles
How can you speak for all men? You and your friends hardly account for the few billion men on the planet.
Monday 24 May
By Tobey
You don't speak for me, I think bright red lipstick is trashy and not in the least bit attractive.
Monday 24 May
By Michael
I agree, Red Lipstick is a real turn on, and I definatly like women. I admit that dressing too sexy at the office can be a distraction, and can get the girl ostrisized by the other women, especially if the other women are older or down right 2 baggers... Just show moderation, and don't go for the bimbo look. This author is way out in left field. Women in girl designed guy clothes looks good. What I hate to see is the "Dyke" look. nothing worse at work is some over agressive man hater with an attitude. That just pisses everybody off, and wastes more time with everybody complaining about them. Just be yourself and get along. Nuff said.
Monday 24 May
By JimmyG
AMEN on the red lips......VERY sexy!
Monday 24 May
By sueee
I'm with the nix on red lipstick. It becomes a focal point and draws the eye away from everything else.. In other words, if that's all you've got. Paint your lips with red. Here come the lips! Oh, the lips are here!
Monday 24 May
By Not Cool
She got these things out of her ass or a small group (two of her buddies) of people. None of that mess makes real sense. The head wrap comment was just offensive. I wont get into race and culture because people never understand and swear you're sensitive (whatever).The red lip thing has been proven scientifically. That's why women even do that. It originated to emulate the reddening of the lips on the face (and else where) when sexually aroused. So yeah this was a fluff article a jack ass pulled out of her ass last minute. I would've totally respected that, (bc we've all done that before) if she hadn't made offensive and just backwards fabricated statements.
Monday 24 May
By Anon
I am male and have no problem with red lipstick.
She also missed the worst offenders! Tit-curtains! UG!
Reply
Monday 24 May
By Elizabeth
What on earth are tit curtains?!
Monday 24 May
By BoredinOC
What are tit curtains?
Saturday 22 May
By DrZin
Jeans with a dress or skirt look f***ing ridiculous. Denim skirts are also unattractive. Also, the fancier and more complex the hairstyle, the less attractive it actually is to a man. That stuff is to impress other women.
Reply
Monday 24 May
By Banderman
News flash to the ladies: Take a day off, we deserve it.
Reply