Every girl Ive been with has taken a step down to be with me...I always bat a higher average than Im supposed to. Girls dont care as much about looks as guys do. In fact, I think most guys can get any girl, you just have to play your cards right. I dont think the opposite is true. The majority of girls, I would absolutely never touch, regardless of how sweet, funny, loyal, etc... they are.
I don't have a "minimum attractiveness standard". I have a minimum intelligence standard. I am old enough guys aren't gonna judge me by how my partner looks, but they sure will if she says something idiotic.
There are more good looking men than women -- so in the scrum for the few hot girls their not so hot friends are going to pick up the scraps (much like hyenas and vultures after a fresh Cheetah kill).