Mark Bryan is a robotics engineer who has been married for 11 years and has a daughter. He identifies as straight and chooses to dress unconventionally. Bryan is an American living in Germany, and he doesn’t believe that fashion has to be gendered. You can find Bryan wearing a skirt and heels to work or out anywhere else he goes on any given day.
Bryan said he doesn’t like how limited men’s choices are in the fashion department, especially when it comes to office attire. Men’s pants only come in a few colors, mostly black, gray, dark blue and the occasional pinstripe, and cuts.
The stylish dresser believes that if women are allowed to wear pants, men should be able to wear skirts and dresses as well. Bryan likes how skirts come in many styles and patterns – and many more colors – unlike men’s clothing.
Bryan prefers to mix traditional gender looks by wearing masculine attire on his top half, like a blazer and tie, and traditionally feminine attire on the bottom half. He will typically wear a pencil skirt and four-inch heels on the bottom.
Wearing high heels is no problem for Bryan. He first learned how to do it when his college girlfriend asked him to wear high heels while dancing with her so that they were on the same level. They continued this for over a year.
Bryan doesn’t let stereotypes or assumptions stop him from dressing in a way that brings him joy. He challenges expectations and does so unapologetically. Keep reading to hear what Bryan has to say about his fashion choices.
Bryan has a very clear idea about how he likes to dress. He told Bored Panda: “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.”
He continued: “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.”
Bryan is correct about that. High heels can look back on a long history. Although historians and archaeologists cannot date their invention clearly, they have been around at least since the 10th century. And they were not a fashion statement at first. No, the first recorded use of high heels was eminently practical: the Persian cavalry wore boots with heels, called a kalash or galesh, that made it easier for them to keep their feet inside their stirrups. This is, by the way, the same reason why cowboy boots have a small heel as well!
Since owning a horse was a sign of wealth, only well-off men could afford to wear these high-heeled boots. The use of them slowly spread across Europe, and high heels heels became one of the fashion signs of rich noblemen or traders. In fact, following the Great Schism of the Christian Church in the 11th century, even the pope wore high heels.
It wasn’t until several hundred years later that fashion slowly changed. During the 18th century, cultural concerns in Europe came up about the distinction between males and females and talk about what men and women should wear arose. This is the point in time where the belief that fashion is something effeminate and frivolous that “real men” shouldn’t care about hails from. Due to these changing beliefs, men largely abandoned high heels heels, as they were seen as impractical and mere accessories.
Bryan is one of the examples of how high-heels are slowly coming back as an accepted form of footwear for men. Although the engineer champions the option of wearing high-heeled shoes for men, he understands many people will look twice when they see him. He compares his style choices to someone who chooses to dye their hair bright colors. He explained:
“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.”
Bryan doesn’t have to struggle to find skirts and heels that fit him either. He wears a size 8 in skirts, and with smaller feet for a man, his shoe size in heels is 8.5. If you know a man who is considering trying out wearing heels and skirts too, Bryan suggests starting with a lower heel until you feel more comfortable walking in high heels.
What do you think of Mark Bryan’s style choices? Do you know any men who would try walking in high heels? Let us know, and be sure to send this along to your friends and family.
Quick and Irresistible Beets and Garlic Bites: A Recipe for Everyone
This meal with beets and garlic is a great option if you’re looking for something quick and easily digestible! These savory nibbles are not only very simple to make, but they taste amazing as well. They are sure to become a favorite whether served as a snack or a side dish. So let’s get started on this easy and delicious dish!
Ingredients: 3 beets, medium-sized
two minced garlic cloves
Two tsp olive oil
One-third cup of balsamic vinegar
To taste, add salt and pepper.
For garnish, use fresh parsley (optional).
Guidelines
1. Get the beets ready:Cut and Peel: First, peel the beets. Cut them into little cubes or thin rounds, depending on your choice.
2. Put Beets in Season:Combine the ingredients: Olive oil, balsamic vinegar, minced garlic, salt, and pepper should all be combined in a big basin. Slices or cubes of beets should be added to the basin and mixed until thoroughly coated.
3. Prepare the Beets:Warm up the oven: Set oven temperature to 400°F, or 200°C.Bake: Spread out the beets on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet in a single layer. Bake, rotating them halfway through, for 20 to 25 minutes, or until they are soft and beginning to crisp up around the edges.
4. Present and Savor:Finishing Touch: After the beets are cooked, move them to a platter. If desired, garnish with fresh parsley.Serve: It’s best to serve these garlicky and beet nibbles warm. They make a delicious snack, side dish, or even appetizer.
Advice for the Best Outcomes
Equal Pieces: Make sure the beet slices or cubes are the same size to guarantee even cooking.
Taste Boost: Before baking, sprinkle your preferred herbs, such as rosemary or thyme, on top for an additional flavorful explosion.
Crispy Edges: You can use the broiler for the final two to three minutes of baking to get even more crispiness. Observe them closely to avoid burning them.
Advantages for Health
Rich in Nutrients: Rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, beets promote general health.
Low in Calories: This dish is a good option because it is flavorful and low in calories.
Digestive Health: Beet fiber helps keep the intestines healthy and encourages proper digestion.
In summary
These bite-sized morsels of garlic and beets are so delicious that they will quickly disappear from your table. They are a veritable explosion of flavor and nutrients thanks to their delicious, rich flavor and pleasing texture. This recipe is quick and simple to prepare, making it ideal for any gathering. Try them and enjoy the flavor of garlic and beets in every bite. Have fun in the kitchen!
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