Finally the outfit that showed just how brave Scotland is in a fashion sense has had its moment of glory as the host team stepped out at the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony on Thursday.

The turquoise, fuchsia, navy blue and caramel tartan draped over athletes shoulders has been the subject of much controversy in the lead-up to the games, but Canberra owner of The House of Tartans, Braidley Johnston, defended the design, and said fashion tartan allowed an artistic license.

"It's not as traditional as people would like it to be [but] tartan is forever. Before, tartan was a real religious thing, now it's a fashion thing. It ebbs and flows as a product, but it won't lose its authenticity," Mr Johnston said.

He praised textile designer, Jilli Blackwood, for remaining true to tradition while acknowledging a contemporary Scotland.

"It's a modern image. It's not everybody's kettle of fish. They're stepping away from the traditional but they can; the tartan in the most recognised national costume in the world. It's a lovely, beautiful product," he said.

The leader of the Canberra Burns Club's pipe band, Alec Murray, was in full support of the modern twist, which lived up to the international spotlight often placed on host nations.

"The comments have been quite startling at times, but why not?" Mr Murray chuckled.

"As I said to my wife this morning, they might have gone a bit overboard with the tartan, but the Aussies went overboard with the kangaroos for ours. That's what people expect for these things. I'm a supporter of it, as long as it's tastefully done."

Former ANU student and Scottish pipe player, Doug Wyllie, disagreed but appreciated the cultural significance of the uniforms that hasn't been widely understood.

"I don't think their attire did them any favours, but I see the reasoning behind it instead of going for the usual," Mr Wyllie said.

"In autumn and summer, Scotland is a maze of purples and orange … the kilt they chose tried to make it more modern and vibrant and show off the full array of Scotland's colours."

For Mr Murray, the Games are a dream come true that will showcase the tremendous transformation Glasgow has undergone.

"It's absolutely fabulous to see dear old Glasgow sitting on the international arena," Mr Murray said.

"I never would have thought in my lifetime that would have happened. We're such a forgotten city, we're industrial and don't usually fit in the criteria for holding an international Games like this. But now we do!"

The opening ceremony has been praised for managing to include as much of Scotland's iconography as possible.