We can go back and forth all day ( and have, to my great pleasure) on some of these points, but Tobus makes something clear that was floating around before. Many of the things we talk about are assumed and understood, though they needn't necessarily be. For instance, all of the doublets we discuss have sleeves, bodies of a similar construction ( no pullovers, no collarless, not many pleats, no puffs, or lacings) and a very narrow accepted range of lengths. THCD assumes a narrow range of shirt styles, as well, and shoes that go no further up the leg than the ankle, if that far.

A dress doublet may be tartan, black, blue, or even red or green, but they are seldom orange or brown or striped or polka dotted. Sooner or later, someone may bespeak one in watered silk or brocade, but we will accept it or disdain it based on universally accepted ideas or rules and archetypes. Mostly, we will ask if it looks right or wrong- does it follow the rules.

By contrast, people in the world today wear garments that balloon, garments that stop anywhere from the crotch to the toes, garments that conceal and ones that occasionally expose. And, if you will look in the very back of the "modern dress" closet, back into the part where the labels are hand written and the hangers are forged, you will find all manner of funky stuff. But if I say "pants" or "trousers" most of us will imagine a garment that resembles Levis or at least Gov't Issue Uniform trousers, ca 1960-1980 ( pardon, that is Trousers, Dress, 1960 Pattern). And we know instinctively how to wear them.

What looks "right" comes from what you have seen again and again. Just as somebody can grow up with skinny jeans and turtlenecks or 6 inch lapels and flared legs, somebody did grow up with knee breeches and brocades. We adapt to changing times, but we form our tastes at an early age, as MoR pointed out earlier. What looks "good" can vary, based on our individual shape, the thickness of our wallets, and the limits of our creativity... And the approval of our chosen audience, of course.