MoR,

If you take a broader view of all men's Western fashion (from the 1960's onward) I should think that the trend has been toward simpler, more casual, and more standardized garb for men. Generally thinking men are supposed to look good without really standing out in their clothes. In my life most of the fellows I know wear things that blend in with what everyone else is wearing and "dress up" only when required to. Being "Dressed up" is not something they enjoy on the whole and Heaven forbid they might look like they spend too much time or effort on their appearance.

Why even here on the Internet (though not on XMTS) among people that enjoy kilts and highland attire I have been mocked as a fop by some. Why? Because if you stand out too much in your manner of dress, well then it must mean that you are effeminate,a sissy, or some other such nonsense.

For many who don the kilt, the simple act of putting on a skirt and wearing it out in public is a pretty risky thing. They don't want to stand out anymore than that! Therefore options for individuality disappear and highland formal wear becomes something of a uniform. Now I do think that most fellows do enjoy their highland finery when they don their Prince Charlie Coatee and such, but they are also reassured that it is a "safe" look. This is to say that they know that they will fit in with what everyone else is wearing. For a lot of men, no matter what the type of dress that is all they want of their attire.

I'm sure price has its place in the equation as well, but I think that the general shift in fashion away from anything that makes a fellow stand out in the crowd has more to do with it.

Cheers

Jamie

Order of the Dandelion, Order of the Gin and Tonic, Order of the Tartan Peacock