Introducing Mark Bryan, a fashion-forward robotics engineer challenging conventional wisdom. Bryan, an American living in Germany, is a loving husband and father who defies stereotypes by wearing what many consider unconventional clothing—heels and skirts. He believes fashion shouldn’t be confined by gender norms.
Why does he do it? Bryan finds men’s fashion, especially office wear, monotonous with its dark blues, grays, and blacks, occasionally broken by a pinstripe. In contrast, skirts offer a vibrant array of designs, patterns, and colors—a rainbow of options!
Bryan blends traditionally masculine and feminine elements, pairing ties and blazers with pencil skirts and four-inch heels. This approach showcases his belief in the genderlessness of clothing. His journey began in college when his girlfriend wanted a dance partner who could match her eye level. After a year of practice, he mastered walking in heels and has confidently worn them since.
His unapologetic attitude toward social norms allows him to dress in ways that bring him joy. He explains, “Clothes are genderless in my opinion. I prefer skirts over dresses because I can’t mix the genders with dresses. Above the waist, I like to look ‘masculine,’ and below the waist, I prefer a non-gendered look. It’s all about the genderlessness of clothing.”
Bryan recalls a time when girls weren’t allowed to wear pants to school, a restriction that seems archaic today. He argues that just as pants have become gender-neutral, so should heels and skirts. Historically, men have worn heels—the Persian cavalry of the 10th century used them for riding, and European royalty, including popes, adopted them as a status symbol.
The 18th century marked the start of a gender divide in fashion, which Bryan now challenges, rejecting the outdated notion that fashion is frivolous and unsuitable for “real men.”
While Bryan acknowledges that his fashion choices might cause people to double-take, he likens it to seeing someone with vivid green hair: initially surprising, but quickly normalized. “Leave a person with vivid green hair behind. Green hair is not typical. You glance up, notice it, and your brain registers it. It might seem strange or interesting, but you quickly move on. I think people react the same way when they see me wearing heels and a skirt.”
Finding heels and skirts that fit is easy for Bryan, who has size 8.5 feet and wears a size 8 skirt. He advises men interested in wearing heels to start with lower ones and gradually work up to a comfortable height.
What are your thoughts on Mark Bryan’s wardrobe choices? Would a man you know consider wearing high heels? Share this story with your loved ones and friends and let’s start a conversation!
