While some members of this forum may be as sure of Hell, as I am confident of Heaven, the point seems to be recreating the uniform of the 79th, for the dual purposes of instructing and entertaining the general public. Since the general public won't take it personally if the re-enactor isn't wearing period undergarments, or the proper period belt plate, or is shorter, taller, younger, older or fatter than the average soldier of the period, I fail to see what all the agro is about.

Obviously a kilted soldier will be more interesting than someone in a sack coat and kepi, with their pant legs tucked into their socks.

So, Mr. would-be 79th lecturer/re-enactor, my advice to you would be to ignore all of the expert nit picking and hurled invectives, go with the kilt, and get your message across to the public.