Straight, Married Father-Of-Three Says He’s Been Wearing Skirts And Heels To Work For Years — And He’s Not Planning to Stop
In a world that often struggles to define masculinity in rigid terms, one man has been quietly—and confidently—challenging the norm, one outfit at a time.
Mark Bryan, a 64-year-old American engineer living in Germany, is a straight, married father of three who has become an unexpected fashion icon and a symbol of unapologetic self-expression. His secret? For years, he’s been wearing skirts and high heels—not just at home, but to work, to meetings, even to the grocery store.
And no, it’s not a statement about gender identity or sexuality. As Bryan has made clear time and again, “I’m just a man in a skirt.”
“I Like What I Like. That’s It.”
Mark Bryan’s fashion journey began not out of rebellion, but out of preference. A lifelong lover of sharp fashion and tailored clothing, Bryan first began experimenting with women’s shoes—specifically heels—years ago when his wife encouraged him to try a pair.
“I loved how they looked and felt,” he said in an interview. “There’s something powerful about the way heels change your posture. It’s confidence-building.”
Soon, skirts followed. “Pants are boring,” he often jokes. “Skirts offer more variety—styles, colors, textures. Why should women have all the fun?”
Despite his interest in fashion that is traditionally associated with women, Mark is quick to point out that his style has nothing to do with his sexuality or gender identity. He’s straight, happily married, and proud to be a dad. His motivation is simple: he enjoys fashion that makes him feel confident, stylish, and free.
Wearing His Truth — Literally
Every day, Bryan wakes up, checks the weather, and puts together an outfit. Some days it’s a crisp button-down shirt, pencil skirt, and black stilettos. Other days it’s a blazer over a leather miniskirt paired with boots. He doesn’t try to dress like a woman—his shirts are always from the men’s department, and he keeps his grooming masculine.
“I mix masculine and feminine elements,” he explains. “A man’s shirt, a woman’s skirt. Why not?”
He posts his outfits daily on Instagram, where he’s amassed over 700,000 followers who admire his confidence and taste. His fans range from fashion lovers to people tired of gender stereotypes, and he regularly receives messages from men around the world who say his courage has helped them express themselves more freely.
The Family Behind the Fashion
What makes Mark’s story especially compelling is the support he receives from home. His wife of over 30 years helps him pick out skirts and heels, and even shops with him.
“She loves that I have the confidence to wear what I like,” he says. “She knows who I am. I’m not trying to be someone else—I’m just being more me.”
His children, two daughters and a son, are equally supportive. Bryan says his kids were raised to think independently and not judge people based on appearance.
“My son’s never had an issue with it,” he adds. “In fact, when he was younger, he used to ask, ‘Why do people care so much?’ I think he gets it better than most adults.”
The Workplace Reaction
Mark works in a conservative field—he’s a robotics engineer. One might assume his colleagues would scoff or ridicule him, but according to Bryan, most people have been surprisingly open-minded.
“At first, there were stares and raised eyebrows,” he admits. “But once people realized I wasn’t doing this for attention, that this is just how I dress, the novelty wore off.”
He keeps his look professional, sticking to neutral tones and modest lengths. “If I’m going into a business meeting, I’m not showing up in six-inch heels and a leather mini,” he says with a smile. “It’s always appropriate.”
Interestingly, he says women at work are usually more supportive than men—but even the men eventually come around.
“One guy finally said, ‘I don’t get it, but I respect that you’re being true to yourself.’ That’s all I ask.”
Breaking Down the Binary
While Mark Bryan doesn’t identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community, his visibility has made him an ally and a conversation starter in spaces where gender norms are still tightly guarded.
“I’m not doing this for shock value,” he said during a TEDx Talk in Berlin. “I just want to show that clothing doesn’t have to define who you are. Clothes don’t have a gender—people do.”
His message is resonating across generations. Young men struggling with self-expression write to him, thanking him for his bravery. Parents tell him they’ve used his story to teach their kids about acceptance. Even fashion designers have reached out to collaborate.
Not Everyone Approves
Of course, not all responses have been positive. He’s received hate mail, threats, and anonymous messages telling him he’s “confusing people” or “disgracing men.” But Bryan doesn’t let it shake him.
“If someone has a problem with what I’m wearing, that’s their problem—not mine,” he says. “I’m not hurting anyone. I’m just wearing a skirt.”
His resilience in the face of criticism has made him a quiet revolutionary—not a celebrity, not an activist in the traditional sense, but a man who, through simple daily choices, is redefining masculinity on his own terms.
A Legacy of Confidence
Mark Bryan doesn’t see himself as a trailblazer, but it’s hard to argue otherwise. In a world where gender norms still shape how we dress, act, and express ourselves, his refusal to conform is quietly radical.
And he’s not slowing down.
“I’ll wear heels and skirts as long as I can walk in them,” he laughs. “And maybe even after that.”
For Bryan, fashion is not rebellion—it’s freedom. A way to say, every day, that being a man isn’t about suppressing who you are. It’s about embracing it—completely, boldly, and unapologetically.
