Over Labor Day weekend I attended a wedding in Austin, Texas. A young, very attractive man had caught my attention early in the evening and I watched him throughout the night. It was as if the mother of every single woman at the wedding thought the same thing I did “what a hunky catch.”
After the cake was cut, my eyes wondered around the room searching for the young man, only to find him in a corner surrounded by five young women, and their mothers, all vying for his attention. A friend of mine read my mind and sat to join me in observing the scene.
All the women were very pretty in their very expensive designer dresses. But one stood out from the group. She wore a simple yet elegant red dress. We sat and watched the battle unfold; each woman secretly plotting against the other. I already knew that she'd be the one to win his attention.
Over the years I've watch this “red dress” phenomena. Without a doubt every formal event I attend there is one or two single women in red who demand the attention of the room and attract single men like moths to light. She is never looking for a dance partner, her card is full, men fall over each other to get her a drink and each secretly hopes that he'll have the pleasure of seeing her home. I've attempted to figure out if it really is the power of the red dress or the combination of a bold woman in a bold dress - color not mattering.
There are a variety of things that attract men and women to one another. The red dress, however, seems to be something that exists on its own plane of attraction.
According to the Internet red is the color that provokes the most physiological response in humans.
Red is the color of power worn by kings, queens and religious leaders, including the Dalai Lama, and it defines the idea of celebrity and the “Red Carpet”. Red evokes dominance, power and, of course, attention. It's also the color of danger (hence emergency vehicles and stop signs), shame or embarrassment, sexual impulses and urges. In China, red denotes happiness and prosperity.
In dreams, and almost every other occasion, red symbolizes raw energy, force, vigor, intense passion, love, sexual, aggression, power, courage and passion. It has deep emotional and spiritual connotations and, maybe most importantly, it symbolizes blood, the heart; our humanity, frailty and ability to provide life.
Chris de Burgh's song “The Lady in Red” poses the woman almost as a prize yet paints a picture of falling in love and the amazing power of her dress. “I've never seen so many men ask you if you wanted to dance, They're looking for a little romance, Given half a chance….. I've never seen so many people want to be there by your side”.
With so many definitions, meanings and reactions behind the color red it may be hard to determine which specifically provides the actual capacity to attract men. And does the dress play a role at all?
The idea of power is ironic to me because men, more times than not, tend to steer away from dating powerful, smart and successful women; their urge to provide sometimes getting the best of them, blinding them to the idea that a self-sufficient woman needs to be supported in more ways than just financially. So, the dress does matter. It shows a woman's femininity more than power and an almost S&M thrill of being overpowered sexually.
It's difficult to know exactly why the red dress works, but I can tell you that as the wedding in Austin progressed sooner or later the young man turned to the girl in red and offered to buy her a drink, pulling her away from the gaggle of girls. It was easy to see the disappointment on their faces as the realization of his choice began to sink in.
I believe that red dress is simply a tool to catch a man's attention. Like a peacock, she shows her color to attract the man and then it's up to her to prove her extraordinary qualities and talents to the man. The point being that we all need to don a red dress every now and then, even if it's just to feel more confident and daring.
If you don't have a red dress, well, you're in luck because this season is all about the red accent (shoes, belts, coats, handbags). This is perfect for the average woman who doesn't have Christy Turlington's bod. Throw on your favorite black outfit, a red handbag, belt and shoes and you're set. Let the power of red work for you. Oh, and be sure to tell me about your steamy success stories.
• "Dating Games" appears first and third Mondays of every month, exclusively in Lumino Magazine. E-mail Jennifer at jenfort@hotmail.com.
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Are you still writing?
Written by Guest on 2006-12-01 09:46:58
Are you still writing? A column has not been posted since October. |
Monday
Written by Guest on 2006-12-01 17:29:39
A new column is coming Monday, Dec. 4. Apologies from the Lumino staff! |
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