As I have read through the posts to this thread, I'm reminded of a video series I saw probably 30 years ago. It was called "What you are now is what you were when". It was based on the theories of Morris Massey (I just googled it and there are many links if you want more details).

As I recall, his basic point is that you are greatly influenced by the times that you were in certain formative ages. For example, the type of music you like now may have been greatly influenced by what you listened when you were in your late teens or early 20s.

For my own situation, I'm more interested in the traditional kilt and historical clothing. I don't think I would be comfortable in some of the more modern kilts. I just have no interest in them. I think this may come from my 20s when I first saw kilts worn by pipe bands ( that was in the 1960s by the way)

But I don't think I see things in terms of black and white, right and wrong.
I want to understand the proper wearing of highland attire, and in certain situations, I would choose to wear what is conventional. I've been fortunate enough to acquire a lovat green argyll, a black argyll, a PC and recently a sheriffmuir doublet. And if I were attending a function that was predominately knowledgable kilt wearers, I would try to conform to the norms of that group.

On the otherhand, I wear a kilt nearly every Sunday to Church and afterward to the PX and Commissary on the military base I'm associated with. I wear everything from casual, i.e., kilt and sweater or pullover in summer, to Argyll, PC, and even Sheriffmuir last week (but with just a collar shirt and tie, not the lace jabot and lace cuffs!) Partly I do it to show others various combinations of attire. I have found that kilt wearing here opens many interesting conversations with nice people that I would otherwise never meet.

This forum has given me the information to know what is the appropriate attire when I choose to wear it, and I have also seen many variations that give me ideas of other options.

So to Jock Scot and McMurdo, thanks for your guidance toward tradition, and if I visit your neighborhoods, I would, out of courtesy, of course follow your traditions. But if I'm at a Highland Games in Colorado, you probably would see me in knit shirt and 5 yard casual kilt.

That is the freedom of kiltwearing (and reaching an age where I'm comfortable who I am 60+) and so ends my humble contribution to discussion.
Long live diversity!

Regards,

Tom