Here is where you lose me. Even the fellow who wears a suit and tie to work and worship, and a tie, slacks and blazer out to dinner is not likely to wear a suit and tie to the county fair on Saturday. They probably would have 100 years ago, but it is very doubtful today. In that regard, much of THCD is an affectation (I certainly don't mean that in a derogatory way). It doesn't matter what you wear in other circumstances (e.g. work, worship); what is relevant is how you would dress as an analog to when you are kilted.
I guess I'm having a hard time coming up with an analog. A Highland Games is a Highland Games, not a county fair. Traditionally, men wear kilts, shirts, ties, tweed jackets, kilts, hose, and leather lace-up shoes to Highland Games. When it's too hot for that I take off my jacket and tie and roll up my shirt sleeves.



There is quite a continuum between the puffy shirt and current THCD. Suggesting that those are the only two alternatives seems a little disingenuous to me.
It was meant to be. My point is that American sensibilities, when "interpreting" a Scottish cultural tradition, often lead to heinous results.