A possible dancing myth?

[Arlen]

I don't understand why a single sentence in a book published 94 years ago in London should be construed as license to disregard the norms of "highland" dress for ladies.

All I'm really saying is I am interested in how the 'rules' came about.
In my time dancing I have heard all sorts of 'rules' about what colour of hose men are permitted to wear and exactly which hip you should turn your sporran to while dancing.
But those, like this, are just things that people have been told year by year is the way it is done.
I am an interested in finding out WHY it is done.

What exactly are the 'norms' of highland dress, anyway?
In my whole life I have been told more norms and rules and reasons to do with highland dress than I can count. From what kilts I can wear to what colour shirt I am allowed to wear with what tartan.
I wear highland dress because it is comfortable, it is clothing that fits with my day-to-day life, and it, for me personally, reflects my love of the place I was born.
When the kilt was first worn there were no set rules for tartan or what to do at what kind of dance.
I am just interested in finding out when these things changed, who decided they should change and what reasons they had for the changes?