What characteristic do men, according to evolutionary theory, find attractive in women?

The characteristic that men find attractive in women, according to evolutionary theory, is an hourglass figure. This preference is often explained through the lens of evolutionary psychology, which suggests that physical traits are interpreted as indicators of health and fertility. An hourglass figure is associated with a certain body fat distribution that may signal reproductive capability. The waist-to-hip ratio often represented by this body shape is viewed as a sign of health and youthful fertility, which are important factors in mate selection from an evolutionary standpoint.

In contrast, while strong leadership qualities, high intelligence, and resource acquisition skills could certainly be attractive traits in both genders within various contexts, evolutionary theory traditionally emphasizes physical attributes that signal reproductive success more prominently when discussing preferences in mate selection. Thus, the hourglass figure is highlighted as a key characteristic reflecting biological and reproductive cues that may influence attraction.