Quote Originally Posted by pdcorlis View Post
Guidelines rather than rules I suspect comes closer to the truth of it for us non-military types. As an artist, I suspect these evolved guidelines boil down to a matter of proportion. Why a wide belt and not a skinny one? Why a hand width gap between the bottom of the belt and the top of the sporran? Why a short waisted jacket and not a longer one? Why hose at four fingers below the knee and a kilt at the top of the knee? I suspect that much like the golden rectangle, these proportions have been judged more visually pleasing than all the attempted alternatives.

Bend the "rules" break the "rules" if you'd like I suppose. Why not - after all that's what fashion is all about.

Now for the matter of rubber chicken sporrans? I believe they are Dadaism pure and simple.
I agree with Phil. I'm also delighted that we have Matt and his cool reasoned analysis of XMTs folk.

I am retired military and understand the importance of wearing the uniform properly; but I seldom do that now except when it's Burns' Night or I'm in a SCD show.

Reason should always win out. Well, I'm a philosopher so I should think that.