T-shirt tell-all: … July 2001 issue of Marie Claire has an article, “Do Men Like It When You Flaunt It?” (pullquote: “Men often say women give them mixed messages. So we sent out three women wearing T-shirts with clear — and clearly provocative — slogans to test how men would react.)
“I look better naked” (worn to an Italian restaurant, a sports bar, a local dive, a hip hotel bar, to run errands and to a supermarket by an Asian woman ID’d as “Maggie, 26, musician” with a last name of Kim) drew approaches from 9 men (average quality? C+). Quotes: “I like yours very much. Maybe we switch?” “She’s cute? I might talk to her because of the shirt, but I wouldn’t date her.” “I was compelled to talk to you before I saw it; now I want to know if it’s the truth.”
“Wanted: A rich man” (worn to a restaurant, a “gentleman’s club,” a Starbucks and a local diner by a blond ID’d as “Amber, 29, entrepreneur” with a last name of Bishop) drew approaches from 30 men — including 15 phone numbers (average quality? B-). Quotes: “So what do you have to offer a rich man in exchange for a good life?” (asked by a woman) “I think she’s doing just fine on her own. Lighten up. I like it. It’s gutsy.” (stated by said woman’s boyfriend) “I’ve got what you’re looking for.” (the most commonly used line)
“I have sex on the first date” (worn to an organic food store, an outdoor flea market, a swanky boutique, a sultry bar and a lounge hosting a party for young, successful professionals by a brunet ID’d as “Karen, 29, writer” with a last name of Robinovitz) drew approaches from 16 men (average quality? D+). Quotes: “You don’t do that, do you?” “I must buy that for a friend. It’s so her!” “I’m JoJo, and that is an ‘int-uh-resting’ T-shirt. First-date sex is fabulous. That better not be false advertising, though, or I could sue you.”