Handsome is What Handsome Wears: The Modern Man’s Guide to Looking Good

Every generation has its idea of a handsome man, but the truth is timeless: confident, self-assured and stylish. Across cultures, women consistently describe sexy men and the most attractive men as those who look put-together without trying too hard. And in today’s world – where first impressions are made in six seconds – how you dress plays a bigger role in being seen as a good looking man than ever before.

At Taelor, we see thousands of men transform their look because they changed their style. As Taelor Head of Styling Melissa Slavick says, “Looking good isn’t just about the face—it’s about how your clothes frame your presence. The right outfit can make a man appear more confident, charismatic, and undeniably attractive before he even speaks."

This blog unpacks what makes handsome men stand out, how style influences attractiveness, and what real-world attributes consistently show up when people describe a sexy man.

Ask ten people and you’ll get ten different answers, but the qualities most consistently linked to a handsome man tend to include three things: presence, grooming, and intentionality.

Presence isn’t about being loud; it’s about being grounded. Research shows that posture, eye contact, and relaxed confidence increase perceived attractiveness – which is why the most attractive men often look self-assured even in a simple T-shirt.

Grooming is equally powerful. Studies indicate that clean skin, trimmed facial hair, and neat haircuts significantly increase how attractive men are rated. For busy guys, this doesn’t have to mean a 10-step routine – just consistency.

But the factor most modern surveys highlight? Style. What a man wears quietly signals confidence, competence, and character. The sexiest men in the world aren’t necessarily the most genetically gifted. They’re the ones who understand that “looking good” is a smart, learnable skill.

At Taelor we see the difference styling makes for our customers. Taelor client Riley has experienced the change. “I get random compliments on my style and that definitely never happened in the past,” he says. Adds another Taelor client Joshua, “I've got a lot of compliments from almost every person I work with in the past two months when I started to rent from Taelor.” 

As Melissa Slavick puts it: “A great outfit can shift the energy of a room. People notice energy before they notice features. Clothes shape that energy—structured, intentional pieces make a man feel and look more attractive."

Across global studies, the #1 trait repeatedly linked to an attractive man is confidence – but not the loud or cocky type. It’s the grounded, dependable confidence that comes from knowing who you are and showing it intentionally.

Here’s the real twist: clothing affects confidence more than people think. In behavioral science, this is called enclothed cognition – the idea that what you wear changes how you think, act, and are perceived. That’s why switching from random outfits to thoughtfully curated ones instantly makes you feel more capable and charismatic.

Some of the sexiest men in pop culture aren’t the tallest or the fittest. They simply dress well, maintain their grooming, and carry themselves like they belong in the room. And in every study, when women are asked to rank what makes a good looking man, things like kindness, emotional intelligence, humor, and style outrank bone structure every time.

In other words: the sexiest man in the room isn’t always the best-looking — he’s the most self-aware.

Absolutely – and not in a superficial way.

Style is one of the fastest ways to signal intention. When you dress well, even minimally, people attribute positive traits to you: confidence, reliability, capability, ambition. This is why well-styled men often get described as sexy men or good looking men even if their faces haven’t changed at all.

Clothes frame you. They sharpen your presence. They communicate competence without saying a word. And when your outfits are consistently clean, sharp, and aligned with your lifestyle, you naturally step into the zone where people perceive you as a handsome man, a good looking man, and yes, sometimes one of the most attractive men in your circle.

When the right clothes meet the right fit, the transformation is instant. Because in reality, 

Research has found that women rate men significantly more attractive when they wore clothing associated with status, effort, and intentionality. It has also been found that fitted and structured clothing increases perceived attractiveness, especially in men.

This is why handsome men across industries lean into smart basics: structured jackets, well-fitted shirts, clean sneakers, premium knits, dark denim. Nothing flashy, just intentional.

The sexiest men in film and media follow the same pattern. You never see them in sloppy clothing. Because women don’t fall for the outfit – they fall for the impression it creates: capability, confidence, clarity.

You don’t need to overhaul your life. You don’t need a closet full of trends. You don’t need to chase labels. You just need a system that understands your fit, your lifestyle, and your goals.

That’s why Taelor’s model works so well for busy professionals. You get the advantage of expert styling, combined with AI-enabled precision, without needing to think about trends or shop endlessly. Taelor handles the styling as well as the curation of clothes based on your lifestyle.

You just show up feeling like one of the most attractive men in the room – every time!

Look no further! Taelor is the answer. It offers a personal touch with dedicated stylists, a uniquely collaborative model between AI and human stylists, ensuring sustainable fashion as well as value for money. Whether you’re a busy professional, an eco-friendly individual, or simply someone looking to reduce waste in his wardrobe, Taelor offers the perfect solution for you. It’s style on your terms, with no need to buy.