I must admit when I read the initial post and some replies, I began to become a bit defensive myself. But I think I see what youre getting at, although I still think its a bit of a swipe. To categorise people into RM clones, Bushcraft anoraks and Bushcraft militia is also perhaps a little erroneous. My experience of meeting people having the same interest is far from what youve described. All you have to do is look at the gallery to see what Im getting at.
My experience of conversations around the fires at Bushmoots is far from being Bushcraft dominated. During the day perhaps this is true, as most people are keen to learn about a variety of Bushcraft topics, but in the evening conversations meander across many diverse subjects as with any gathering of folk.
Theres bound to be some influencing from the media and sites like BCUK. If this was a football forum Im sure a good percentage would turn up to a game wearing latest club football tops or looking like clones of each other.
If someone recommends pieces of kit then others are going to seriously consider its purchase if theyre in the market for such an item. Ive no qualms in asking someone where they got a certain bit of kit if I like the look of it. Obviously the result will be that people wear/use similar or the same items and consequently possibly look the same. Some people like to concentrate on aesthetics and authenticity for a certain era and why not?
Personally, Im not happy with wearing anything that I would be upset about seeing ruined through playing with fires, sharp objects, thorns and general grubbiness. I sometimes even swap function for form. I purchase robust clobber which surplus stores tend to provide, i.e. olive trousers, jackets. If Swanndri kit was 50% cheaper, Id have that too!
You havent described your ordinary guy going for a walk in the country attire. Is that a rambler clone or tweed jacket, flat at and plus fours? Good topic. See you at the moot. I'll be the one in the deerstalker.
Pablo.
I learnt this the hard way 
