I would agree with you all so far, that it is in fact a luxury item. I have made a living making luxury items for twenty two years (no one "needs" what I make).

That said, I think this is yet another cultural difference between Scotland and it's traditional, historic, and cultural views, vs. the US and our views of such things. I don't especially want to bash my fellow countrymen (and women) but we can be a bit confused about need and want, and what the difference is sometimes.

So I'd support your logic 100% Jimmy. There are times and places in the US where it is not appropriate for the same reason, though I think the awareness of kilts is in general much less here (at least in Iowa).