"How does it look?"

Formally, in my English education, I have learned to ask for the outward appearance of something using the expression:

"What does it look like?"

Since my mother tongue is German and we say "Wie sieht es aus?", I frequently catch myself saying:

"How does it look?"

which would be the direct translation from German.

Since I think the translation does not sound wrong (I am certainly biased though) I would like to ask you if this is correct English in at least some cases or just a mistake of mine?

Thanks!

Solution 1:

In English, “How does it look?” generally asks for a value judgment, whereas “What does it look like?” asks for a physical description.

How does this dress look?
It suits you well.

How does this dog look?
It looks healthy.

versus:

What does this dress look like?
It has a high waist and a short skirt.

What does this dog look like?
It's black with a white muzzle and socks.

The questions have more overlap when discussing more abstract subjects:

How does your week look?
I'm very busy.

What does your week look like?
I'm free on Tuesday and Thursday.

In this case, the answers would still be reasonable with the questions reversed.

Solution 2:

Both are perfectly acceptable.

I would note that "How does it look?" applies more to things or properties of things which are abstract, using the metaphorical sense of the verb look e.g. "How does your schedule look tonight?" sounds slightly better that "What does your schedule look like tonight?". "What does it look like?" applies more to physical objects or physical properties of objects, e.g. "What does an elephant look like?" is fine, but "How does an elephant look?" seems strange. However, both can apply in either situation, and this difference is somewhat subtle. You may also find that this distinction varies by dialect, so others might disagree.

"How does it look?" also has the possibility of introducing ambiguity that the other construction does not. For example, one correct response to "How does an elephant look?" would be "With its eyes."

Solution 3:

"How does it look?" is a request for a critique of the appearance of something.

Your girlfriend (or boyfriend) puts makeup on and asks, "How does it look?"

The answer is always, "Beautiful!"

"What does it look like?" is a request for a description of something.

Your girlfriend (or boyfriend) asks, "I hear your old girlfriend (or boyfriend) is wearing a new outfit to the party tonight and you've already seen it. What does it look like?"

The answer is always, "It's black and green and too hideous to even be a Halloween costume!"