Are Men Attracted to Masculine Women? Surprising Studies

Women hear a lot that they need to be in their feminine in order to attract men. But can men be attracted to masculine women? This article will explore attraction and some surprising research around sexual chemistry.

Are men attracted to masculine women?

Many men are attracted to women with a masculine dress, attitude, or physical features (i.e., muscular physique). A recent poll found 53% of men find masculine women attractive. There are many reasons why a man might find a masculine woman attractive. 

In researching this topic, I found a 2021 poll on Reddit. The poll shows that many people find masculine women attractive or open to it depending on the person.

I did my own poll by asking the HeroRise community and found that 53% of people said men are attracted to Masculine Women. 

But attraction isn’t as simple as A+B=C.

There are a lot of factors that go into attraction, and gender expression is just as complicated. In the rest of this article, we will explore the characteristics of a masculine woman and how that interacts with sexual attraction?

Gender Expression: Defining a “masculine woman” 

A Masculine Woman is someone that possesses qualities associated with Masculinity, which may include physical appearance, behavior, and/or interests. Masculinity is a gender expression and is separate from our biology. So in that way, a woman can embody Masculinity just as much as a man can. 

Also, just because a woman has a strong masculine essence doesn’t mean they don’t also have a strong feminine essence. It is more of a mode of expression than something etched in stone. 

Something that helps me visualize this is the Genderbread Person. It helps break down the difference between Gender Expression, Gender Identity, and Anatomical Sex (or biology).

Expressing your gender identity involves a wide range of choices, including clothes, body modifications, and mannerisms.

When a woman expresses strong leadership, directives, and ambition, she can have a masculine gender expression. 

It is more about the way you express yourself at the moment. 

You might even change from day to day, like trying on a different outfit to fit the occasion. 

This range of expression is open to both Men and Women. The key to remember is that your gender expression is different than your Sexual/romantic preference. A woman can show strong masculine behaviors but is still attracted to a man. 

If you are interested in reading more about the traits of a masculine woman, check out my article on understanding female Masculinity

Attraction: Women with Masculine Style

There are two ways a woman can express their Masculinity. It can be how they present themselves physically or how their actions/attitude. 

Some women love to wear more “masculine” outfits. 

Think of a “tomboy.”

There are hundreds of thousands of men that find this ascetic sexy. 

You can see this through popular fashion and celebrities, such as Tegan & Sara, Azmarie Livingston, Kristen Stewart, and Cara Delevingne.

Many men find this look attractive because they like the gritter and down-to-earth look. It can make a man feel like a woman can keep up with them and enjoy a rugged adventure.  

However, some men don’t find this attractive. 

The point being, it’s subjective and one of those things that makes us unique. Everyone should feel free to express their outward appearance in any way they like. And I guarantee someone (probably many someones) will find them attractive. 

Attraction: Women with Masculine Attitude

Another way a woman could express Masculinity is through there attitude. 

This is separate from how a woman might express Masculine style. A woman can dress in slacks and still behave feminine, and a woman in a dress can have a masculine attitude. 

A Masculine attitude is more about the actions a woman takes. If she is more aggressive, straightforward, and self-reliant, then she is expressing her Masculinity. 

List of Masculine Traits: List of Feminine Traits:
Competitive Empathic
Aggressive Nurturing
Self-reliant Sensitive
Ambitious Selfless (giving)
Decisive Creative
Directness Forgiving

Many men find a woman with a strong Masculine attitude to be attractive. It can be relieving to be with someone that has similar communication styles or behavior. 

Men often find themselves drawn towards independent, confident, strong-minded people, which is why many will go for “masculine” girls over feminine ones! Men can enjoy a woman that can handle things herself.

Also, some men might find they like to express their feminine traits, such as caregiving, and are attracted to a woman with stronger masculine traits to balance out the relationship. 

Some men who identify as “a manly man” might not be as attracted to a woman with a masculine attitude but are still attracted to a woman with a feminine attitude and masculine style. 

Our attraction is as unique as the way we look. 

There is no “normal” attraction. Each of us is unique. 

Why do men find Masculine Women sexy?

There is a wide range of reasons why a man might be attracted to a Masculine Woman. Over the years, I have asked hundreds of men about their attraction to women and what makes them a good fit for them. 

I have NEVER heard the same answer twice. 

To give you an idea of the range of reasons, here are some of the responses I have heard from clients, colleges, and friends:

  • I’m attracted to masculine women because they complement my independent nature and shared interests.
  • Because I am fit, I prefer muscular and masculine-looking women.
  • They aren’t afraid of getting dirty with me.
  • I am attracted to the more adventurous side of Masculine Women.
  • I find a woman that spends less time dressing up and more time doing things to be attractive. 
  • As a man with a strong feminine essence, a Masculine Woman balances me out.
  • I feel Masculine Women are more down-to-earth with their femininity.

In Conclusion:

A large number of men in the world are attracted to Masculine Women. We see in pop culture many examples of tomboys and masculine styles for women. Many men are also attracted to women with Masculine attitudes. It helps them feel like their partner can keep up, get their hands dirty, and enjoy the same hobbies. 

What it comes down to is, we all have our own unique attractions.

Each of us comes from unique backgrounds, biology, and preferences. There is a huge range of what people find attractive. What is most important is being true to yourself.

Isaac Cotec
Isaac Cotec
Creator of HeroRise, Isaac Cotec has dedicated his life to empowering others through art and creativity. He is a scholar of the subconscious and has studied the power of symbolism to help create enduring change.

Related Posts

Share this article: