Less Can Be More

[Jock Scot]

A Robertson.

Crumbs! Actually I do agree with much of what you say. However, would you wear a pair of Levi's to a "Black tie" occasion? You would? OK read no further. However, probably you would not, so whilst there are no rules there are conventions, traditions, aesthetics and a responsibility in some form or other, not to cause offence to others, thus an ability to conform is a requirement in a civilised world.

Now that may sound rather straight laced, but in reality it does give the individual huge freedoms to make choices. We in the UK, as you quite correctly point out, have "Dress"(white tie, black tie and morning[day] dress), "smart"(suits) and "casual" (anything from blazers, sports jackets to swimwear) and even in this day and age most of us in the UK can work with that. In passing the kilt hire trade have been responsible for the peddling as much misinformation about Scots attire and Scotland as have the Scots tourist trade, so please do not regard the "hire" industry in general as reliable in any way.

Those in the USA and probably in the rest of the world are having to re-learn some of these conventions particularly when it comes to kilt attire. To some it does not come easily, to others it is a tad more difficult and some-----as in the UK too-----find it impossible to conform even for a few hours.

Fair enough, each to their own, but with freedom of choice comes responsibility and one of those responsibilities is an ability to conform in all sorts of ways, including the choice of how we choose to dress. However whilst there are, as you quite rightly say, no rules, there are indeed other considerations to be taken into account on how we choose to dress. Even in this day and age.