Quote Originally Posted by Janner52 View Post
The problem is that most people’s connection with the kilt is via television, or seeing pipe bands or highland games and so forth. In these instances the wearers are in uniform or some sort of attire relevant to their activity.
Exactly so, to us pipers a smart outfit is expected, required, whenever we perform on the pipes.

It's parallel to the orchestra musician's tuxedo. It's very common for musicians to be expected to look a certain way, not only clothes but hair styles etc.

You're not going to wear a tuxedo and have business-style grooming and perform on stage with a Metal band.

Add to that the ethnic thing. Here Mariachi bands are all over the place and they always perform in specific outfits. The people hiring them demand that they do.

Most pipers I know detest having to wear their outfits. It's like that with mainstream musicians, they call their tuxedo a "monkey suit".