Londoners dating icks revealed, with almost half admitting they would leave early due to minor faux pas.
- Fashion experts at Suit Direct reveal the biggest dating icks according to Londoners.
- Almost half (40%) of Londoners say that it’s very important for the person they are dating to have a good fashion sense, whilst 20% say it is extremely important, and 26% say it is moderately important.
- Top red flags include poor hygiene and grooming, lack of manners, along with a date not looking like their photos.
With cuffing season in full swing, many might be feeling a strong urge to find someone to cosy up with for the colder months. While everyone has their own unique preferences, there are some common ‘icks’ that could instantly turn-off a potential match.
Whether you’re navigating the dating scene for the first time, or are a seasoned swiper, Suit Direct surveyed 1,000 Brits to uncover their biggest dating icks, including profile picture blunders, fashion faux pas’ and the instant turn-offs when meeting someone for the first time.
But when it comes to London, what are the top dating icks that keep people single and looking for love?
The biggest profile picture icks:
With 41% of Londoners admitting their first impression on a dating app is based solely on the profile picture, it’s clear that the right image can make or break a connection. But not all photos leave a winning impression—some can even be deal-breakers.
Leading the list, over a third (39%) of respondents revealed their biggest pet peeve is group photos where it’s unclear who the profile belongs to. Close behind, 33.7% find shirtless photos a major turn-off, with 27.7% also finding swimsuit pictures unappealing.
Other profile images that are a turn-off for Londoners include poorly lit or low-quality images (29.7%), photos with ex-partners blurred out (27.7%), and overly posed images (23.8%).
After finally securing a date, the excitement of meeting someone you’ve connected with online can be tempered by a few in-person turn-offs. When asked about their biggest dating deal-breakers, Londoners had quite a list.
Poor hygiene and grooming took the top spot, with over two-fifths (41.6%) of respondents saying this was an immediate turn-off. Similarly, 37% cited bad breath as another deal-breaker. Additionally, with 26% of people sharing that they’ve been catfished in the past, it’s no surprise that 39% reported that they would be put off if their date doesn’t quite match their profile photos.
Moreover, over a third (39%) of respondents pointed to a lack of manners or respect as an instant turn-off, highlighting the importance of basic courtesy in making a good impression. This was followed by 20% of Londoners saying that inappropriate or offensive jokes are a red flag. Other dating icks include a date talking only about themselves (14.5%), a date who constantly checks their phone (14.5%), and a lack of conversational skills (12%).
Fashion faux pas on a date:
Nearly half of Londoners (40.6%) said that it is very important the person they are dating has a good fashion sense, with an additional 20% considering it extremely important and 26.7% rating it as moderately important. This highlights just how crucial style is in creating a strong first impression.
In fact, 41% of Londoners admitted they would leave a date early if their match’s fashion choices were a deal-breaker. Clearly, the power of personal style extends beyond photos—it can truly make or break a potential connection.
What are the biggest style faux pas that London singles simply can’t stand? Topping the list is mismatched colors or clashing patterns, with a third (33%) of respondents flagged as a major turn-off. Coming in second, 30.7% admitted that poorly fitting clothes are off putting, whilst a quarter (25%) said that clothes that are too revealing are a major red flag.
Additionally, 24% of respondents found overdressing for the occasion to be off-putting, while 17.5% said that clothes that are too casual was an ick. Other fashion faux pas included clothes that are too revealing (25%), wearing outdated trends (19.5%), and overdoing it with perfume or cologne (15.2%).
How Londoners would address turn-offs:
When it comes to handling turn-offs on a date, people have various strategies for managing the situation. For some, minor annoyances aren’t worth dwelling on — in fact, almost a third (30%) of respondents say they simply ignore the “ick” and focus on more positive aspects of the date.
Others take a more direct approach as 40% mentioned they might bring up the issue in a lighthearted way, aiming to address the turn-off without creating awkwardness. Meanwhile, 21.51% prefer a more subtle exit strategy, choosing to avoid a second date rather than confront the issue. And for the bold few who feel comfortable enough, 8.3% even offer a bit of fashion advice if they think it would help.
For more information on dating icks, please visit the website here.
Featured Photo by René Ranisch on Unsplash.