nice article. i like the reference to burns egalitarianism.

the comparison to austrias "rural" dress has for sure not a similarity from its historical content, as we know austrias sad history from last century, gives totally different associations.

but to me the lederhosen appeals in fact to be from the conservative, rural countryside of autria, which i have to say forms the majority of the country, whereas just our big cities, like vienna remain as progressive centers. i m more an international guy than a patriote or even nationalist, but to wear those traditional dresses is in generally a sign of such convictions. speacially worn out of cities.

the view for a tourist is different, they will see a nice costume. but for us locals in here it creates in fact other associations, as we look from a different point of view. to reduce austria to this image will get only a puzzled ppicture.
so it s not from the content, but from the form as i think feelings from scots could be, concerning this duality.