Curious about the "rules"

[kiltedwolfman]

I have read many a mention to the "rules" of Highland attire as to what should be worn with what, and when etc etc. Out of reading and trying to digest all of this information I began to wonder, how did all of the rules become rules? To be clear I am not thinking about statements about what makes decent fashion sence, or how some things just look nicer than others, but moreover the steadfast "this is how it must be done!" kind of rules. I would ask those who choose to respond to the best of thier ability cite the varying authorites as I assume there must be more than one, who made the rules, and of course how these rules are currently maintained.

*Disclaimer* It is not my objective to anger anyone with these questions, or to offend anyones sence of tradition. I simply want to understand better how the rules of dress ( outside of the military ) can and apparently in some situations must be applied.