This is a topic that I give a lot of consideration to, and for good reason. There are rules and then there are rules.

If you are wearing the kilt in the context of a uniform (be it a military regiment, a pipe band, or some other organization), then you will have uniform requirements and there will most definitely be rules that you will be expected to follow.

The majority of us on this forum, however, wear the kilt not as part of a uniform, but as part of our clothing. In this case, there are no "rules" in the sense of uniform rules. In other words, I do not have a check-list instructing me on how I should be dressed and what articles of clothing I am allowed to wear when and with what.

Many people, especially those new to kilt wearing, have a tendancy to treat the kilt as a uniform. They worry about being "proper" or mistakenly violating some code of dress. And I'm talking about things above and beyond the rules of fashion and good taste. Some people think that it would be improper to wear a shirt purchased at a men's wear store with a kilt -- it must be a "kilt shirt." Or they worry about the fold-over on their cuff being a half inch shorter or longer than the next guy. Or they think that the only shoes you are allowed to wear with a kilt are ghillie brogues. People with these assumptions need to be instructed that the kilt is clothing, not a uniform, and these "rules" that they envision simply do not exist.

On the other hand, there are "rules" of fashion and good taste. Certain thing looks good together, other things don't. And with Highland Dress we have the matter of tradition to consider, in addition to the general rules of thumb involving color, texture, and the like. These fashion rules are important, and in place for a reason. Unlike uniform regulations, you do not necessarily need to follow them to a "t" but you should be aware of them, and you should follow them generally unless you have a good reason otherwise. And it is important to remember that some people can pull off looks that others cannot.

It is also important to consider that the more formal the clothing, the more "rules" you will need to be aware of. This is true in different cultrues across the board, not just in Highland Dress. Web sites like www.blacktie.com are a good place to find resources. Following these fashion rules shows that you respect the occasion, the people hosting the event, and yourself.

For all these reasons, when people make statements like "there are no rules" it is important to clarify what type of rules you are speaking of. Most of us will not have to worry about uniform requirements like we would find in the military. But all of us should be aware of basic fashion rules, which may be different based on our location and station in life.