Has anyone came across this man, Mark Bryan?
The Professional Look
-
-
There is plenty of information about him from pictures, to videos, to interviews. He is a family man, married with children and wears clothing traditionally designated for women from the waist down. He has been wearing in public and to work for the past five years. He doesn't assign gender or sexual preference to his choice of clothing. He describes his decision as a chance to experience the fabrics women typically get to experience but doesn't seek to present himself as a woman.
As you can see, he he dresses very professionally, in fact, all his photos show him dressed professionally. He will pick out his outfit the night before and says he has always dressed professionally, more than expected in a work environment. Just look at this shot, he matches his purple stilettos with his shirt! He says he first tried heels with the help of his wife in his twenties to be able to stand equal in height with her. She helped him with his first purchase. It was much later in life he added skirts and hosiery. He basically describes himself as a regular male who enjoys the wider variety of clothing choices he gets to choose from.
-
I am curious what people think about this-
Are you shocked by the way he is dressed?
Do you think it is a good look?
Do you think he pulls off this look successfully?
Are you against his choice of clothing?
If you are a male, is this something you are interested in, might want to try, or are currently wearing?
Male or female, if you wear something similar , how do you like and feel wearing this outfit?
Do you have recommendations for a male who would like to try this fashion choice (what to wear specifically-heels, skirt, hosiery, jewelry, etc.)?
-
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/dad-who-proudly-wears-skirts-22870514?fbclid=IwAR3UB56KUZoyJlkR9ZcQpiEFvYKBTApNBOw0yFw-r8q9b0CTpGrRbCCZVQ0
Meh. I'm not nuts about the look on him. Maybe it's because he's a geezer and doesn't have a super fit body in all the key areas. He's a little beyond his "best before" date, and I think that detracts from what I was hoping to see. Or maybe it's the Captain Picard bald head look that is completely off-putting in the aesthetic. I've never seen anyone who is bald wearing a skirt and heels, Grace Jones notwithstanding.
His colour pairings in a lot of his photos look like he's trying too hard to be matchy matchy with his heels and the colour of the tops he's wearing in the various outfits where he does that. It just comes off looking a bit too contrived and not looking that natural. It could be the sum of all those things that just doesn't quite work for me.
I saw a really interesting article, a few years back, on airline uniform regulations and how a couple of airlines were now allowing male flight attendants, who identify as other than male, to order and wear female uniforms and components while on duty. There were some really good photos accompanying the article. What stood out to me was that the more feminine looking males, or those who had an adrogynous appearance, looked quite good in the female uniform, whereas the more masculine the person looked, the less convincing the look was to me. One guy had a beard, and that just didn't "fly" at all with me!! In other words, it looked like staged comedy when the guy looked a bit too masculine to have been wearing a woman's uniform.
I think that the right male can wear a skirt and heels but he really needs to have the right body, face and hair (cut and style) too, in order to pull it off really well.
-
Mark Bryan has a unique style and quite a selection of clothing and shoes in his wardrobe to choose from. Definitely a big departure from the typical male business attire. Carrie when you say the right male can wear skirt and heels, is it only a male who is more androgynous in appearance? And the right body, face and hair...what do you mean specifically? I assume the right body means a fit body which obviously makes most anyone look good in clothing. Face-well groomed, no facial hair? Hair-a short cut, not bald?
-
@Carrie Stuart Well put as always Carrie. And I totally agree with you. I would love to have a job in a professional environment where I could dress in glossy pantyhose with either a skirt and blouse or a dress. However, because of my build, tattoos, and manly face, I could never pull it off. Never mind trying to find heels that would fit my Flintstone feet comfortably.
-
@SheerMark Yes a fit toned body that is slim, not muscled or big. And yes, guys with softer features (more androgynous looking) and absolutely no facial hair, tend to be able to pull the look off way better than a guy with chiseled features and a strong jaw line. Some guys are simply too masculine looking to be able to get away dressing in softer looking clothing.
I used to know a guy who wore stiletto pumps all the time. But he was a fashion designer and I typically only ran into him at runways when I was shooting the events. So I don't know if he was a regular wearer of heels when not behind the scenes at a runway fashion show. He could rock the heels quite convincingly, but always only did so while wearing pants. Never saw him in a skirt or dress.
-
Carrie, your opinion is well stated and certainly applies across the board. For example, a ballerina without a certain body type would appear less than appealing in a leotard and tights. A non-athletic, non-cheerleader type of Hooters waitress wouldn't fit company image. Funny thing as well, when football player Joe Namath did a television commercial in the 70's wearing Beautymist pantyhose, he had an athletic/fit look but was also asked to shave his legs to present the product as well as possible.
As far as Mark Bryan, he has quite the wardrobe. Some outfits seem more eclectic than others. Some seem a little too feminine. I like the standard business look (blazer, shirt, skirt, pantyhose, stilettos). I think women look outstanding when wearing this combination if they are fit, have lovely tone legs, and carry themselves well. And yes, the right looking man can certainly pull it off as well.
Am I shocked by the way he is dressed?
Maybe surprised. I've seen men dressed this way before, so it isn't shocking. What is shocking to me, is that Mark and others make themselves fully public with their clothing. I think you have to be of strong character to handle the attention it will bring.
Do you think it is a good look?
It is definitely a deviation from social norms. People always seem to push boundaries. Mark just seems to simply like the additional options in clothing and getting to experience some of the fabrics that only women do. I agree with Carrie, presentation is very important. Facial hair does look comical. A fit body is definitely important. Choosing appropriate clothing is a must, not too flashy or distracting. Making sure your legs are smooth and shaved when wearing pantyhose. Wearing the right shoe, to me 3-4" closed toe pointy stiletto. I think it is a great look and the right man and woman can look amazing and professional.
Do I think he pulls off this look successfully?
I am not as critical as Carrie but I think he does a good job with a lot of his choices. Shirt and skirt seem to be professional. He chooses the right color of hosiery for his outfit. And he is wearing stilettos. I wonder if his wife comments on his daily outfit...most likely.
Am I against his choice of clothing?
No. I'm really open minded. I think it is great he is trying different types of clothes but also does it in a respectful way. Why should we just be curious in our lives, why not try it ourselves if it is harmless and clothes seem relatively harmless? I am sure plenty of men and women would be against this look and have plenty of negative things to say. Mark said he never planned on this gaining so much attention but he did, now he has to deal with a lot of the attention that comes his way. It also shows there are a lot of individuals who are supportive as well as curious.
-
If you are a male, is this something you are interested in, might want to try, or are currently wearing?
I would say it certainly is a great look. I am interested but would only wear something like this in a private setting. I would not go out in public to show myself off, to try and gain acceptance, or make a statement. I am a pantyhose fan first and foremost. I like the look and feel of pantyhose. I think most, at least woman, add pantyhose as an accessary after they choose their outfit. I am quite the opposite. I focus on the pantyhose then incorporate items around it to make the pantyhose and wearing experience the best. I love stiletto pumps but only wear if pantyhose are included. Stilettos go perfectly with legwear and help give a nice shape to the leg. Pantyhose just seem to give me the motivation to add additional items to showcase the look of wearing hosiery. The professional look is one way to bring out the best in one's legs.
-
Another interesting photo of a non-traditional look.
-
@SheerMark That photo must have come off your phone. It's about the size of a postage stamp on my 19" laptop screen!
When you wrote that you feel that most, especially women, add pantyhose as an accessory, and differentiated your method by choosing your hosiery first when getting dressed, I think you are mostly correct about women. But that also varies as to how particular said woman is about her fashion choices.
I'm one of those particular women who usually envisions the entire completed look beforehand. I'll choose a certain skirt/blazer combinination at the same time as which pair of heels I'm thinking about wearing with it, all at the same time of making a choice of what shade of hosiery to incorporate into the look.
I think that back in the heyday of pantyhose circa 1980s-90s, a lot of women simply threw on a convenient pair of nude/tan that weren't ripped, as we dashed out the door to work or school. Pantyhose were a mainstay, and not so much considered as an accessory as they are today. They often got as much thought as whether or not our bra and panties were matching colours on any given day. If they matched our natural leg colour and didn't have a run, on they went.
Today, I think the choice of wearing or not, and which shade is a more considered choice. I usually start formulatiing the entire look in my head while the hot water of the morning ritual of body and hair cleansing is happening. I'm just thinking about what's next, after I shut off the tap and step out, so I won't be wasting minutes of trial and error trying to put a good look together when the clock to get out the door is quickly ticking down. In fact, when I worked and did an office type job, I knew a lot of women (me included) who pretty much picked out what we were going to wear the night before, for the next work day. Nude hosiery was a given, and black shoes were often the default. Not much to consider there. But the outfit was what was deliberate, and took a few minutes to figure out.
-
Actually Carrie, the photo was downloaded from my laptop. I'm always worried it is going to be too big. On my screen it is a decent size...maybe a bit on the smaller size but not too bad. His name is Paul Duane and he is a big fan of heels and hosiery. He has even gone through an airport in this ensemble, attracting the attention of many. He, however, seems very comfortable in his choice of clothing.
Once again, a very nice photo of you as well! I'm definitely a big fan of stilettos, pantyhose and skirt. It looks professional, sexy and stylish. Your explanation also describes your approach very well. Even Mark Bryan stated he plans out his outfit the night before. Traditional clothes for woman have a lot more considerations to make when putting together an outfit. Men have it a lot easier, I guess, unless you are one of the few who are challenging clothing norms by incorporating traditional items worn by the opposite gender.
It would be interesting to know the percentage of men who would like to dress this way or are currently dressing this way. A few wear in public but how many behind closed doors? How many are curious but scared about crossing gender lines?
Carrie, I also understand the time and mental preparation you and many women go through to put together your outfit. I pretty much always dress as a male. It is simple, quick and functional. Call me different or odd but I love the idea of wearing the typical professional female attire. Not to look and transform myself into the opposite sex but to enjoy the sophistication and feel of the clothing like some of the males in this topic.
And yes Carrie, the decisions are many. Some of the things I'm thinking about are what brand of pantyhose should I wear? I definitely love suntan/brownish but what shade, what denier, matte or gloss, control-top or not? I know I want to wear black stilettos but what heel size...3",4",5". A pencil skirt above or below the knee? Long sleeve shirt or not, satin material or cotton? And what color? So, I understand the female dilemma when choosing an outfit. Actually, it is kind of fun looking at all the options (probably less so for a female since it is more commonplace) and eventually I'll get there. You just won't see me out in public!
Please login to reply this topic!
Search
Forum statistics
- Page views (24h):
- 790
- Page views (30d):
- 21,685
- Topics:
- 506
- Posts:
- 3,149
- Members:
- 1,017
