"Viking Style" Brouge lacing?

[Tobus]

I did think that Scottish dress was a free form to an extent but then rigid rules and circumspect views seen here seem to contradict this. As a non-wearer this is only confusing but as someone aspiring to it this seems not only confusing but perhaps even threatening.

This seems to come up often in discussions about wearing all things kilt-related. And I should note that we are having this discussion in the context of the "Putting It On Properly" forum, with the key word being "proper".

This idea that Scottish dress is a "free form" of dress is a bit of a misinterpretation of a well-known quote. It is true, to some extent, that it lacks many of the same rigid conventions as other forms of dress in other cultures. And it is true that there are no kilt police who will detain you for lacing your ghillie brogues too high or wearing the pleats in the front. But there is no form of cultural dress in the world that is free of tradition or norms that made it what it is. Any form of cultural garb will look "right" when worn properly, and "wrong" when not worn properly. Figuring out what constitutes "proper" is, of course, what these discussions are all about. Who determines what is proper? The people who wear it traditionally, having grown up immersed in the culture. There will be a range of opinions to be sure. Some of us seek those opinions, while others may not care.

One can choose to follow their advice to wear it properly. One can also choose to ignore their advice and wear it however they want, but it would be a mistake to think that this would go without some measure of judgment or mild disapproval by those who see it worn foolishly. There is nothing threatening about it, though. The worst one might encounter is a polite correction under the assumption that the wearer simply didn't know he was doing it improperly.