Great Kilt worn as formal attire

[Woodsheal]

The key phrase seems to be, "In its last incarnation..." I think the simple answer is that if worn with period clothing (such as in your avatar) the great kilt is fine, as a costume, in much the same way that a 1930's Zoot Suit is fine as a costume, but rather inappropriate for wear in the present day.

As a garment, worn in the Highlands of Scotland, the great kilt really existed for a very short period of time, compared to the two centuries that the "little kilt" has been worn. As a result, like knee britches, the great kilt really has become an item of historical costume and, like the aforementioned Zoot suit or the platform shoes and 18-inch bell bottomed trousers of the 1970s, doesn't have a place in "modern" attire.

As regards David Pope's comments concerning the fly plaid, all I can say is "Damn, but David's a perceptive chap!"

Again, I get all of this! The concept being pushed here is "resurrecting" the belted-plaid for present day formal wear. Again, I ask, "Why not?" The response, "It's just not done, old boy" doesn't hold any water for me. If current traditional Highland dress was actually "modern", I might agree with you more. But ALL of its elements are holdovers from decades and centuries past (and pre-date the zoot suit!)....