Style Brief

Jeans and a T-shirt is the sexiest look, according to 58 percent of the women polled, but when the magazine showed respondents photographs of six men ready to go out on a date, the favorite outfit was a dark suit worn with a pink shirt and no tie.

A majority of respondents said overly trendy outfits are a definite don't and a whopping 92 percent said leather pants are best left to rock stars.

On the beach, most women (56 percent) like to see men in classic swim trunks, though board shorts were favored by 30 percent and briefs by 9 percent. Bikinis and thongs collectively received only 5 percent of the vote.

Thirty-six percent said they don't mind when men wear jewelry but 20 percent don't like bracelets, 16 percent don't like chains and 16 percent frown on rings other than wedding bands.

When it comes to grooming, women preferred hair that is either neat but not stiff or curly or shaggy, to long and straight or bald. They also like clean-shaven men better than any variety of beard or mustache.

The online poll was conducted through Cargo's sister publications Glamour and Lucky. A total of 866 women participated.

Textured tresses

NEW YORK Hair style and texture might get most of the attention, but people really should consider their hair texture when devising a beauty routine, advises Manhattan salon owner Haime Munoz.

Munoz, who created Easy Straight, a home hair straightening system, offers tips on how to make the most of your hair texture:

Fine. The right cut for you likely is angled long layers around the face with the length above the shoulders to add essential movement. Color treatments will add volume. Even if you don't want to change your color, a simple process or highlights can lift the top layers and add vibrancy and body.

For maintenance in summer heat, wash up to twice daily depending on activity. Use a deep-cleansing shampoo to remove build-up, which can weigh hair down. If hair is dry, compensate with product like a gloss to add moisture to ends.

When hair is wet, spray in a light detangler and work a protein-based volumizer into the scalp. Use a wide-toothed comb to work a bit of product to the ends. No need to dry, just pin top layers up about an inch and a half from hairline with a few bobby pins or a barrette. Allowing hair to dry that way will add extra height on top.

Wavy. Wavy hair can be kept at almost any length. Long layers are important as they keep the curliest parts from getting fluffy. Waves are the most versatile texture because they can easily be transformed from curly to straight.

Shampoo once a day with a mild shampoo and work a silicone-based gloss evenly through damp hair while finger-combing. During the day, pin the front section flat to the side. To prepare for an evening style, pull hair back into a bun during the day by wrapping hair around the base without twisting. Secure with a barrette or pin during the day and let loose for evening.

Curly. Ask your stylist to keep hair as long as possible and aim for a blunt cut to avoid unwanted extra volume. Wash hair every other day using a rich moisturizing shampoo followed by a heavy conditioner and don't rinse it out completely.

The less-frequent washes will preserve much-needed moisture.

For styling thick, curly hair night or day, use a silicone-based product (gels that are alcohol-based will dry out hair) and concentrate at ends.