Straight Family Man Prefers To Wear Skirts And Heels As He Believes 'Clothes Have No Gender'
Mark Bryan is not your typical fashion rule-follower. The robotics engineer, an American who lives and works in Germany, has drawn attention around the world for his unconventional approach to clothing.
Although he identifies as a straight man, Bryan frequently wears skirts and high heels as part of his everyday outfits—including at work.
Bryan has been married for more than a decade and is a father to a daughter. His family fully supports his choices, and he often emphasizes that his style has nothing to do with his sexual orientation.
Instead, he simply believes that fashion should not be restricted by gender stereotypes.
Challenging traditional fashion rules
Bryan began questioning men’s fashion many years ago. According to him, men have very limited options when it comes to professional clothing.
Most office wardrobes for men consist of pants in only a few colors—typically black, gray, dark blue, or sometimes pinstripes. The cuts and designs are also fairly similar, leaving little room for creativity.
Women, on the other hand, have far more freedom in how they dress. They can choose from dresses, skirts, pants, and countless combinations of fabrics, patterns, and colors. Bryan found himself wondering why men didn’t have the same freedom.
From his perspective, if women can comfortably wear pants—which were once considered strictly men’s clothing—then men should also be able to wear skirts or dresses without raising eyebrows.
For Bryan, skirts offer something men’s clothing often lacks: variety and expression.
They come in different fabrics, shapes, and patterns that allow him to experiment with style in ways traditional menswear does not.
Mixing masculine and feminine styles
Bryan’s outfits are carefully balanced. Rather than dressing completely in clothing typically associated with women, he mixes elements traditionally viewed as masculine and feminine.
On the upper half of his body, he usually wears items commonly associated with men’s business attire—such as a blazer, dress shirt, and tie.
The lower half of his outfit, however, often includes a pencil skirt paired with high heels.
This combination creates a unique look that blends both styles while still appearing polished and professional.
Bryan says he enjoys this contrast because it allows him to challenge expectations without abandoning the structured appearance required in many workplaces.
How his high-heel journey began
Interestingly, Bryan’s introduction to high heels came from a simple request during his college years. His girlfriend at the time loved dancing but was noticeably shorter than he was.
She asked if he would try wearing high heels so they could be closer in height while dancing together.
Bryan agreed—and discovered that he didn’t mind wearing them at all. What started as a practical solution for dancing eventually became part of his personal style.
He continued wearing heels with his girlfriend for over a year, gradually becoming comfortable walking in them. Over time, he realized they could simply be another fashion choice rather than something reserved only for women.
Refusing to follow stereotypes
Bryan openly rejects the idea that clothing should be limited by social expectations. In interviews, he has explained that fashion is simply a form of self-expression.
He once said that he prefers skirts rather than dresses because they give him more flexibility to mix styles.
Dresses usually create a fully feminine look, while skirts allow him to combine masculine clothing on top with a more neutral or gender-fluid style on the bottom.
Bryan strongly believes that the idea of gendered clothing is largely cultural and constantly evolving.
He often points out that throughout history, many items now considered “women’s fashion” were originally worn by men.
The surprising history of high heels
Bryan is correct about one thing—high heels actually have a long and fascinating history. Historians believe heels date back to at least the 10th century.
Originally, they had nothing to do with fashion. Persian cavalry soldiers wore boots with heels because they helped keep their feet secure in stirrups while riding horses. The small raised heel provided better stability when standing in the saddle while shooting arrows.
Because horses were expensive and associated with wealth, these heeled boots gradually became a symbol of status. Only wealthy men could afford horses and therefore wore this type of footwear.
Eventually, the trend spread to Europe. During the 17th century, high heels became fashionable among aristocrats and noblemen. Wealthy traders and even political leaders wore them as symbols of power and prestige.
For a time, high heels were considered a distinctly masculine accessory.
However, fashion began to shift in the 18th century as society increasingly separated men’s and women’s clothing styles. As ideas about masculinity changed, many men abandoned high heels, viewing them as impractical or overly decorative. Over time, heels became associated primarily with women’s fashion.
Changing attitudes today
Bryan believes modern society is slowly returning to a more open-minded view of clothing. While his outfits may surprise people at first, he says most reactions follow a predictable pattern.
He compares it to seeing someone with bright green hair. At first, the unusual appearance catches your attention. You might briefly think about it because it’s unexpected. But after a moment, you simply move on with your day.
Bryan finds that many people respond to his style in the same way. They might notice his skirt or heels at first, but once the initial surprise passes, they quickly return to their normal routines.
Advice for men curious about trying it
Bryan also shares practical advice for men who might be curious about experimenting with skirts or heels themselves.
Because of his relatively small feet, he easily finds high heels that fit him. He typically wears a size 8 in skirts and around an 8.5 in heels.
For beginners, he recommends starting with lower heels rather than extremely tall ones. This helps people gradually get used to walking comfortably before trying higher styles.
Like any type of footwear, walking in heels becomes easier with practice and confidence.
A broader message about self-expression
Ultimately, Bryan’s fashion choices are about more than clothing. They reflect his belief that people should feel free to express themselves without being restricted by outdated rules.
Fashion has constantly evolved throughout history, and what society considers normal today may change tomorrow. Bryan hopes that by confidently wearing what he likes, he can encourage others to think differently about the limits placed on clothing.
May you like
Whether people agree with his style or not, his story highlights an important idea: fashion is personal.
And sometimes, questioning long-standing traditions can open the door to entirely new ways of thinking about style.
