If you ventured to Broadgate Circle in the summer of 2024, you’d find yourself overwhelmed by the man of the moment.
The eligible bachelors all worked in finance (with a trust fund), and were 6’5 with blue eyes. Meanwhile, the viral tune delineating this alluring, if emotionally unavailable, subset of man hit more than 60 million views on TikTok when it was released in April last year, quickly becoming the ‘song of the summer’.
However, the last 12 months has witnessed a shift from gilets and unsociable working hours, when it comes to the ‘ideal man’. This year, height doesn’t matter, because the most popular heartthrobs are 5’7 architects with PhDs, apparently.
That’s right, dating app Happn has analysed the matches of all its users in 2025 and discovered that they’re valuing ‘creativity, stability, and personality over height and a fancy job title’.
But when did this shift happen – and why?
Men with blueprints are sexier than those with spreadsheets
According to sex and relationship expert Annabelle Knight, we’re seeing this move ‘because modern relationships demand more emotional intelligence.’
It’s true, with 61% of women wanting men to be caring, 55% wanting them to be empathetic and 53% wanting men to be gentle, according to consumer insights platform GWI. These are all traits that signal emotional openness.
Sex. Love. Modern Mess. Listen to new Metro podcast Just Between Us
X Factor icon Diana Vickers and writer, broadcaster, and LGBTQ+ advocate Jack Guinness dive into your wildest sex, love, and dating dilemmas – every Tuesday.
Listen wherever you get your podcasts or watch on YouTube. And be sure to follow and subscribe so you never miss an episode.
You can also join the fun on our WhatsApp Group Chat here – share your dilemmas and Diana and Jack may just give you a call.
‘Creativity signals curiosity and self-expression, stability offers reassurance in an unpredictable world, and personality is what actually sustains desire long-term,’ Annabelle explains to Metro.
‘A great conversation or shared values will always outlast a flashy job title.’
It’s official: height no longer matters
The introduction of height features on dating apps like Tinder can make it feel like how tall you are is fundamental to your dating appeal – however it’s clearly not the be all and end all.
While some people will inevitably have preferences, Lovehoney’s expert Annabelle says this points to another change in priorities.
‘The rise of the “short king” reflects a wider cultural shift away from rigid ideals of masculinity,’ she explains. ‘Men are being celebrated for softness, self-awareness, humour, and authenticity – not just dominance or financial success.
‘Dating culture is finally catching up to the idea that attraction is personal, nuanced, and deeply emotional and not always surface level.’
This isn’t to say that 6’5 blue-eyed finance bros aren’t all these things, but rather the scope for who is considered the most desirable is widening.
‘Height simply doesn’t carry the same social currency anymore because attraction has evolved,’ Annabelle adds. ‘People are realising that feeling safe, seen, and emotionally understood matters far more than someone being able to reach the top shelf.
‘Chemistry isn’t measured in inches – it’s built through communication, humour, and how someone makes you feel when you’re alone with them.’
Why the finance bros lost their eligible bachelor crown
While they made for a very hot TikTok trend, the trope of the investment bankers of Canary Wharf and City has had its moment.
‘The “6’5 finance bro” thing feels tired because it’s built on surface-level status rather than substance,’ Annabelle explains. ‘For years, desirability was wrapped up in height, money, and bravado but that stereotype often comes with emotional unavailability, long working hours, and a slightly transactional view of relationships.
More like this...
‘That might look impressive on paper, but it doesn’t always translate to intimacy, presence, or partnership.’
If we’re going to generalise, a career in finance can even be associated with certain negative traits, she adds.
‘The finance bro archetype red flags often point to things like poor work-life balance, an identity overly tied to status, and a reluctance to do emotional labour,’ says Annabelle.
‘Confidence can easily tip into entitlement, and ambition can leave very little room for connection if someone’s job always comes first.’
Do you have a story to share?
Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
