...long post?...obviously you haven't been here for some of the rants and diatribes that this forum has entertained in the past...

Anyway, although I do not claim to be an authority on this subject, I'd say that using a nice four yarder shouldn't be a problem as long as the rest of the outfit is appropriate. I wore my five yard Cawdor made of 16 oz. Lochcarron with the tux shirt, bow tie, vest, waist jacket and a bunny-fur sporran and it seemed to pass inspection. This was to an awards ceremony and only one other fella showed up kilted...it wasn't to a Burns Supper or anything where I'd expect to be in the company of a whole hoard of kilties. I would hope that no one would be so small as to criticize you for wearing something less than a full eight yards so long as you've made the effort to dress appropriately...that would smack of "kilt snobbery".

Best

AA