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Most of us believe that clothes have “genders.” Our society has the idea that some things are “fitting” for a man or woman to wear, and some aren’t. However, some open-minded people wear whatever they want and express themselves freely, not needing to live up to any stereotype. Like the inspiring Mark Bryan, who proves it’s finally time to eliminate gender stereotypes, especially in clothing.

Who Is Mark Bryan?

Meet Mark Bryan, a man who wears skirts and heels. Mark is an American robotic engineer who lives in Germany. He lives his life like every other person, except that he challenges gender stereotypes every day. He almost always wears a skirt and heels while going to work, to the town, and even at home. And let’s just say he looks fabulous while he does.

#1

Mark Believes That Clothes Have No Gender

Mark Bryan is wearing a white shirt, a blue skirt, and high heels and standing in front of a wooden wardrobe

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Monika Lachova
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

damn, with such good looking legs, it would be pity to hide them in trousers...

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Mark told Bored Panda: “I dress like this because I can. Just to be different. I have always admired the women that wore tight skirts and heels. Not sexually, but the power they presented. I don’t dress to be sexual, but to dress like any professional woman would. To me, clothes have no gender. I prefer skirts to dresses. Dresses don’t allow me to mix the genders. I prefer a ‘masculine’ look above the waist and a non-gendered look below the waist. It’s all about clothes having no gender.”

#2

He Has So Many Fashionable Options to Choose From

Mark Bryan is wearing a dark coat, plaid skirt, leather boots, and a beanie hat and standing outside the house

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We asked Mark what inspires him to wear heels and skirts: “All the fashion options. With men’s pants, you have just a few color options: black, gray, navy, and brown, and no pants with prints. With skirts, you can add reds, green, brighter blues, floral prints, animal prints, etc. Same with shoes, but then you also have many more styles and heel types. Plus you can wear open-toed shoes when the weather is nice.”

#3

His Clothes Make Him Feel Empowered

Mark Bryan in a blue formal outfit with a jacket, skirt, white shirt, black tie, and black high heels

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Everybody Say Love!
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This makes me so happy to see! My male partner is also dabbling in wearing skirts at home. His view is nothing separates trousers from a skirt other than a seam, and he says it's so freeing and comfortable, especially in summer! I love his bravery <3

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“I feel no different as to me, it’s just clothes. Naturally, on a cold or windy day, it physically feels different. When wearing heels, I feel taller, but also empowered for some reason. In all, maybe having the inner strength to have the confidence to wear non-conforming clothing has also given me the confidence and strength to handle my pressures at work,” said Mark when asked how wearing heels and skirts makes him feel.

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We already know Mark Bryan, the engineer who works 45-hour weeks. But it’s interesting to know that he also models and works as an influencer on a part-time basis. Apart from that, he is also the head coach of a football team. He is currently restoring his 1967 Porsche 911, and his wife keeps him busy with her “honey-do-list.”

#6

How Does He Find Feminine Clothes That Fit Him?

Mark Bryan is wearing a red shirt, high heels, gray skirt and holding a black briefcase

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A man who wears skirts and heels shared what it’s like to find feminine clothes that fit him: “I am 6’ tall and weigh around 165 lbs. I also have medium to small feet. I wear a size 8.5 US and 41 in Europe. I have a 29” waist, so I wear a size 8 skirt in the US or a 38 in Europe. I also work out 2–3 times a week. So finding clothes my size is no problem.”

“Old girlfriend in college asked me to dance with her with us both wearing heels. We did this for more than a year. I got very good at walking and moving in heels. Throughout the years, I have worn heels off and on, but not with skirts. I just started wearing heels with skirts in the last 5 years. It was suggested that I would look a lot better in a skirt and heels than pants and heels,” shared Mark when asked how he decided to start wearing heels and skirts.

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#8

What Is It Like for Men Wearing Heels?

Mark Bryan is wearing a white T-shirt, plaid skirt, and white black high heels and standing near high heel closet

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“I buy most of my heels online so that I can try them at home. This way I can have some shoe time and try going up and down the stairs. Feel how much they slip, the stability when testing stilettos. I’ll also wear them while sitting for half an hour or so. If they hurt right out of the box, then back in the box they go. So having a good comfortable shoe is important, but so is the style.”

“My favorite is a 5-inch stiletto. I just love the way they make me look and the feeling they give. My least favorite thing is walking on uneven surfaces like a cobblestone walkway or a sidewalk with pavers that have gaps big enough to swallow a stiletto heel.”

#12

Mark Describes His Favorite ‘Man’ Skirt

Mark Bryan in a black sleeveless shirt, high heels, and a black leather skirt

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Lisa Fleming
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If he would be open to it and ear cuff would add some dimensions to the outfits.

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Mark described his favorite style to wear: “I wear almost exclusively pencil skirts and stiletto heels. I don’t wear dresses as that is not my style, which is presenting as the man above the waist, with non-gendered clothing below the waist. I prefer my skirts at the knee plus or minus an inch or two. My average heel height for a week is around 4 inches.”

#13

What Are People’s Reactions to Guys in Skirts?

Mark Bryan standing in an attic in a black outfit with a shirt, striped skirt, and high heels

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Clara Knaub
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lots of football helmets. A high-heel wearing skirt-wearing man who plays football! I like it!

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He described how people react to him. Mark said that women, usually around the age of 30 to 40, give him compliments. Men make comments or ask questions but usually will not compliment his appearance.

“Take a person with bright green hair. Green hair is not normal. You look up and see this person, your mind tells you it’s a person with green hair, you think to yourself, that’s odd or interesting, then you go back to do what you were doing and don’t give it another thought. I believe this is the same when people see me in a skirt and heels.”

Mark has been happily married for 11 years and gets full support from his wife and family. “My wife often makes suggestions on what I should wear. My daughter wishes she could borrow my shoes at times.”

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#15

He Has Advice for Men Wearing Skirts and Heels

Mark Bryan is standing in the rain in a black outfit with a jacket, skirt, and high heel boots and holding an umbrella

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Mark shared some advice for men who want to wear skirts and heels but are too afraid. “If you are asking about heels, then I would say to start with a low heel and work your way up as your confidence gets higher. You cannot be afraid. Some people are like animals, they attack the weak. Show confidence and show the world you are not afraid and nobody will bother you. The only fear you have is fear itself. Skirts? Just do it. Maybe not with high heels, but skirts are much more acceptable on a man than a man wearing heels.”

#16

What Is the History of Men Wearing Skirts?

Mark Bryan in a dark suit skirt and high heels

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Men have been wearing skirts since ancient times. In the Kingdom of Sumer in Mesopotamia, men wore fur skirts tied to a belt called Kaunakes, considered ritual attire. In 2130 BC, men in the Old Kingdom of Egypt wore wraparound skirts called Shendyt. The Middle Kingdom of Egypt saw the rise of men wearing longer kilts, almost like skirts, reaching from the waist to ankles, sometimes hanging from the armpits. 

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#20

Mark Believes That His Clothes Shouldn’t Define Him

Mark Bryan is wearing a purple shirt, black leather skirt, and purple high heels

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“I am old enough to remember that in school, the girls could not wear pants. Pants have now become a non-gendered article of clothing. So why can't skirts and heels be non-gendered? Besides, men wore heels before women did. Maybe not today’s stiletto-style heels, but men did wear heels before women.”

“I do this for non-sexual reasons. Men can wear this style without being labeled as gay or queer. I don’t act like a sissy, which is one of the most frequent comments I get from men. They just assume I’m gay and a sissy until they start talking to me. I am just an average, normal, straight, and happily married guy. I love beautiful women, Porsche, and I just want to incorporate a skirt and heels into my daily wardrobe.”

#24

Mark Bryan in a blue outfit with a lighter shirt darker skirt and high heels

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Alex Bailey
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

First ones I don't really like - more because they look like the foot isn't in the shoe comfortably.

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#30

Mark Bryan standing near the railway and wearing a black jacket, bordo skirt, and glossy high heels

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Mary Haynes
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

as a woman, I QUIT wearing high heels 35+ yrs ago because they hurt my feet too damn much.

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Note: this post originally had 90 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.

Is It OK for Guys to Wear Skirts and High Heels?

It might not be common to see men in skirts, dresses, or heels, but people’s mindsets are changing. Clothing equality has yet to become a reality, but it takes a few brave people to bring about a change. Like a school in Scotland that celebrated the ‘Wear a skirt to school day!’ These unique initiatives spark debate and force people to question long-held beliefs. 

The same goes for Mark Bryan’s bold clothing. What do you think of Mark’s fashion choices? Tell us in the comments and vote for your favorite pictures and styles!