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 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.
Rarely Seen Heaviest Moth in the World Spotted at Australian School
A rare and remarkable creature recently made an unexpected appearance at Mount Cotton State School in Queensland, Australia, leaving everyone—students, teachers, and even the builders—awestruck. What they encountered was none other than the Giant Wood Moth, the heaviest moth on the planet! This extraordinary sighting has captured the attention of wildlife enthusiasts and residents alike, adding a dash of magic to the school’s natural surroundings.
A Surprising Discovery 🔍
Located near a lush rainforest, the school is no stranger to Australia’s fascinating wildlife. Wallabies, koalas, and the occasional snake are often spotted in the area, but this particular encounter was something completely different. While building new classrooms, construction workers stumbled upon the gigantic moth, perched on the side of the building. What they found was a rare treasure: a Giant Wood Moth, weighing up to 30 grams and boasting a wingspan of up to 9 inches (23 cm)—making it the largest and heaviest known moth in the world!
Although these moths are native to Queensland and New South Wales, sightings of them are incredibly rare. In fact, most people never get the chance to see one in their lifetime. The school staff was particularly amazed at this once-in-a-lifetime discovery.
An Insect of Mythic Proportions 🦋
This moth, scientifically known as the Gray Wood Moth (Endoxyla cinereus), is more than just an insect—it’s a true marvel of nature. Found mostly along the Queensland and New South Wales coasts, these moths spend the majority of their lives as larvae within eucalyptus trees, feeding on the tree’s tissue for up to three years. However, their adult lives are short-lived—typically only lasting about a week. After mating and laying eggs, the moths perish, making each sighting all the more precious.
When the Giant Wood Moth was discovered at Mount Cotton State School, it was an absolute shock—even the school principal, Meagan Steward, couldn’t believe her eyes. In an interview with ABC Radio Brisbane, she shared her astonishment: “It was an amazing find. This moth was something we had not seen before!” The students, ever the creative thinkers, were inspired to write fictional stories about the moth—one even imagining it as a giant insect that devours a teacher! 🐛
A Creature of Intrigue 🔬
The Giant Wood Moth is known for its distinct gray-brown wings and fascinating life cycle. Adults have no functional feeding organs, meaning they don’t eat during their brief adult stage. Instead, they rely on the fat reserves they accumulated during their time as larvae. Once they emerge from their tree-bound homes, they have only one goal: to mate and lay eggs. Then, they swiftly die, leaving behind a remarkable legacy.
According to Christine Lambkin, curator of entomology at the Queensland Museum, sightings of the moth are incredibly rare, with only a dozen or so recorded annually. Lambkin, who collected these moths as a child, shared her memories of handling them: “I had to dissect it and remove the abdominal contents, stuff it with cotton wool, and sew it up to preserve it in my collection.”
Fortunately, the specimen discovered at Mount Cotton State School was given a safe return to its natural habitat in the nearby forest, allowing it to continue its mysterious life cycle. 🌳
A True Natural Wonder 🌏
The discovery of the Giant Wood Moth at Mount Cotton State School is a reminder of just how incredible the natural world can be. While giant moths may not be a common sight in everyday life, this unique encounter has left a lasting impression on everyone who witnessed it. For the students, it was a reminder of the extraordinary creatures that share our planet, and for the staff, it was a rare and awe-inspiring moment that they’ll never forget.
As these moths continue to thrive in the forests of Queensland and New South Wales, sightings like this one become treasured memories—a true testament to the wonders of nature.
People Are Shocked To Discover The Real Purpose Of The Middle Part On Scissors
That little jagged section isn’t just for show—it actually has a purpose!
After six years as a naked cleaner, she’s seen it all—from curious clients to some who push boundaries.
A woman who cleans homes completely nude has shared insights about her unusual profession.
Thirty-two-year-old Lottie Rae started working as a naked cleaner in 2017 to earn extra cash.
Over the years, she estimates she has made thousands of dollars offering her unique service.
During her six years in the business, Lottie has encountered all kinds of clients.
Some are naturists who simply enjoy the freedom of nudity, while others seek companionship.
Then, of course, there are those who seem to be hoping for something beyond cleaning services.
Charging $60 per hour, Lottie has had her fair share of unusual encounters. She explained: “There’s a fair few people who are creepy – a handful of the guys I clean for book cleaners on the premise they will get something else.”
She added that some clients make assumptions about the job: “I’m clear I’m there just to clean but they’ll say that other cleaners have been strippers or given massages.”
Despite this, she acknowledges the financial benefits: “The money has definitely helped. I wouldn’t do it if I wasn’t being paid the financial incentive.”
Before getting into naked cleaning, Lottie explored several different side hustles, including selling second-hand clothes.
However, when she discovered this line of work, it caught her attention because it allowed her to make good money while meeting interesting people and trying something completely new.
She recalled her initial reaction: “I’m always looking for ways to make extra money and I quite like being naked, so I though ‘okay, I’ll try it’,”
However, her first booking didn’t go as planned: “The first job I was booked for I didn’t end up going.”
She later admitted that nerves got the best of her initially: “I freaked myself out after looking at the house on Google Maps and seeing it backed onto woodland and I was supposed to be there in the evening.”
But eventually, she gained confidence and started taking jobs more regularly: “But going forwards I thought ‘I can do this’ and started accepting jobs. I’ve met all sorts of people over the years.”
Over time, she has met a variety of clients, each with their own quirks and expectations. One in particular stood out: “One of my clients I cleaned for three times altogether, and his house was the dirtiest house I’ve ever come across in my life, teeming with dirt and grime.”
However, not every client actually wanted their home cleaned: “But when I got there he didn’t want me to clean it at all.”
Surprisingly, she discovered that some people weren’t interested in anything inappropriate at all: “He wasn’t creepy or pervy, he just wanted some company.”
Despite the nature of her job, she often forgets about wearing gloves, admitting: “I don’t even wear gloves half the time even though I know I should – if it’s a really dirty house I’m a bit conscious of where I stand but usually it doesn’t bother me at all.”
Not all of her encounters have been comfortable, though. One client made her feel uneasy by crossing a line: “One time a guy put porn on his TV and I had to say no. The people who are slightly creepier tend to have perfectly clean houses so it’s kind of an indicator.”
Interestingly, she has also worked with younger clients who see it as a novelty: “I’ve cleaned for some younger guys who seem more sociable, they’re out and about and just have disposable income and want to try something different.”
Then there are those who fit right into the lifestyle, like one long-time client: “Another guy I’ve worked with [for the whole six years] is a nudist, so to him it’s right up his street.”
She recalled a specific client who fully embraced the experience: “He’s already naked when I get in, we have a coffee and I play with his dog and then get to work.”
Some of her clients even choose to strip down as well: “The clients will get naked as well – a few of them are quite nervous at first and keep their clothes on until they’re confident enough to take them off.”
When it comes to her personal life, she says people close to her have mixed opinions: “My friends and family know what I do, but I think they wonder why I do it. They think all these men are weird and creepy but in general they’re nice people.”
Surprisingly, she has been in relationships where her partners had no problem with her job, saying:
“Over six years I’ve been in a couple of relationships and they’ve been completely cool with it, my current partner’s sound with it, which is refreshing.
“I know a lot of my friend’s partners wouldn’t be OK with it.”
