The article explores the distinction between necessities and luxuries in mate preferences, a concept often overlooked in social exchange and evolutionary models of mate selection. The authors hypothesize that women prioritize status and resources, while men prioritize physical attractiveness, as necessities before considering other characteristics. Three studies support this hypothesis. In Studies 1 and 2, participants allocated budgets to various characteristics, revealing that women focused on social status and resources, and men on physical attractiveness, especially under constrained budgets. Study 3 used a mate-screening paradigm, showing that people first inquired about hypothesized necessities. Physical attractiveness was a necessity for men, status and resources for women, and kindness and intelligence for both sexes. The findings suggest that status and attractiveness are treated as necessities, while other traits like creativity are considered luxuries. This distinction clarifies the paradox of sex differences in mate preferences and provides insights into the judgmental processes guiding mate selection.The article explores the distinction between necessities and luxuries in mate preferences, a concept often overlooked in social exchange and evolutionary models of mate selection. The authors hypothesize that women prioritize status and resources, while men prioritize physical attractiveness, as necessities before considering other characteristics. Three studies support this hypothesis. In Studies 1 and 2, participants allocated budgets to various characteristics, revealing that women focused on social status and resources, and men on physical attractiveness, especially under constrained budgets. Study 3 used a mate-screening paradigm, showing that people first inquired about hypothesized necessities. Physical attractiveness was a necessity for men, status and resources for women, and kindness and intelligence for both sexes. The findings suggest that status and attractiveness are treated as necessities, while other traits like creativity are considered luxuries. This distinction clarifies the paradox of sex differences in mate preferences and provides insights into the judgmental processes guiding mate selection.