I wasn't going to respond to this thread but then...

This reminds me of a discussion I had with a Texan a few years ago. He seemed to be under the impression that Texas honored the USA by permitting itself to join the USA. That Texas was the true home of the cowboy, that Texas was responsible for the best Mexican food, that NASA owed its existence to Texas, Texas invented cotton etc... His attitude was Texas first and always for Texans. [And I mean no offense to Texans or Texas I lived there for several years.]

So...if I'm reading this correctly [and I admit I may not be]....A Scot is a citizen of the UK just as a Texan is a citizen of the USA. But the kilt belongs to Scots [specifically Highlanders] just as cowboy hats and big shinny buckles and pointy toe boots belong to Texans. So, no one but a Highland Scot should ever wear a kilt and no one but a Texan should ever wear cowboy clothing. And only folks from San Francisco should wear Levi's [that's where they originated] and only Americans should wear sneakers....only African Americans can enjoy Hip Hop...only Japanese can wear kimonos, eat sushi.... etc.

Okay, I think we can all see where this reasoning leads. I, for one, reject it. I sometimes wear a kilt, sometimes a cowboy hat, Levi's and boots and a variety of other kinds of clothing. I eat a variety of ethnic foods, listen to a wide range of music. In short, I am a complex individual. I'm going to wear the clothing I wish to wear. I don't claim to be a British citizen, a Scot, a Texan, or Japanese.

They are clothes people. Clothes. I feel like too many over-think this here. As long as the level of formality is consistent with the affair in question... let it go.

Rondo