After 11 years of marriage, a daughter was born to robotics engineer Mark Bryan.
He dresses unusually and identifies as heterosexual. American Bryan, who now lives in Germany, doesn’t think gender is a factor in fashion. Every day you can find Bryan at work or anywhere else wearing a skirt and heels.
Bryan expressed his dissatisfaction with the limited fashion options available to men, especially about work attire.
There are only a few colors available for men’s trousers – mostly black, grey, navy, and sometimes stripes and cuts.
A fashion dresser thinks men should be able to wear dresses and skirts if women can wear pants. Bryan likes that, unlike menswear, skirts are available in a wider variety of colors, patterns, and styles.
Bryan likes to mix up traditional gender roles by dressing traditionally feminine on the bottom half and masculine on the top half, such as a jacket and tie. She is usually dressed in a pencil skirt and four-inch heels.
Bryan has no problem wearing heels.
When his college girlfriend asked him to dance with her in high heels so they were both on the same level, that’s when he first learned how to do it. They continued like this for more than a year.
Bryan doesn’t let preconceptions or prejudices stop him from wearing the way that makes him happy. It defies expectations and does it without remorse. To find out what Bryan thinks about his wardrobe choices, keep reading.
Bryan is very particular about his fashion preferences. “To me, clothing has no gender,” Bored Panda said. I like skirts better than dresses. I can’t mix gender with clothes. In terms of looks, I like the ‘masculine’ look above the waist and the non-gendered look below. It’s all about the genderlessness of clothes.’
“I’m old enough to remember that girls weren’t allowed to wear trousers to school,” he said.
These days, pants are a garment regardless of gender. So why aren’t heels and skirts gender-neutral? Men also started wearing heels earlier than women. Men wore heels earlier than women, but perhaps not as stiletto style as today.”
Bryan is right about that. High heels have a long history. They have existed since at least the 10th century, although historians and archaeologists are unable to pinpoint the era of their creation. Moreover, they were not originally a matter of fashion. Not at all. Persian horsemen, who wore heeled shoes called Kalash or garish to make it easier to keep their feet in the stirrups, were the first people to use high heels for practical purposes. By the way, that’s also the explanation for the tiny heel on cowboy boots!
Only wealthy men could afford to wear these high-heeled shoes, as owning a horse was considered a sign of affluence. Over time, its use spread throughout Europe, and the wearing of high heels became associated with wealthy merchants or nobility. Even the Pope wore high heels after the Great Schism of the Christian Church in the eleventh century.
It took several hundred years for fashion to gradually change. Cultural concerns about gender roles emerged in Europe during the 18th century, leading to discussions about appropriate clothing for men and women. This is the era that gave birth to the idea that fashion is something frivolous and fake that “real men” should not pay attention to. Men mostly stopped wearing high heels as they were seen as mere accessories and impractical as a result of these changes in perception.
Bryan exemplifies the gradual resurgence of high heels as a socially acceptable footwear option for men. The engineer acknowledges that many people look at him twice, even as he advocates that men wear high heels. He compares himself to someone who decides to dye their hair. He specified:
“Have someone with deep green hair. Green hair is not typical. When you look up and notice someone, your brain immediately identifies that they have green hair. You may find it strange or interesting, but you quickly move on to the previous task without being more careful when people see me in a skirt and heels, I think that’s the case too.”
Bryan also has no problem finding heels and skirts that fit him. She has smaller than average feet so her heel shoe size is 8.5 and she wears a size 8 skirt. Bryan advises to start with a lower heel until you are more comfortable walking in high heels so please share this advice with all the men you know about trying heels and skirts.
How do you feel about Mark Bryan’s fashion choices? Do you know any guys who would try walking on stilettos? Please let us know and don’t forget to pass this along to your loved ones.
Mark Bryan’s journey of redefining fashion norms serves as a powerful reminder that clothing should not be restricted by traditional gender roles. By confidently embracing skirts and heels while maintaining a masculine aesthetic on her upper half, she challenges societal expectations and encourages others to express themselves freely. His belief that “clothing has no gender” resonates with many who feel constrained by conventional styles.
Bryan’s insights into the history of high heels further highlight how fashion has evolved and prove that what was once considered feminine can be reclaimed by anyone. His willingness to wear heels and skirts not only reflects personal preference but also paves the way for greater acceptance of diverse gender expressions through clothing.
Ultimately, Bryan’s story inspires us to consider our own fashion choices and the biases we may have. As she advocates for a world where everyone can wear what makes them happy without fear of judgment, we are reminded of the importance of authenticity and self-expression in a society that often pressures individuals to conform.