Iceman,
Your last comment was right on time..."have seen weirder things at tournaments."
Fortunately, I can say you wont see any of our students doing such. Full dobok for class period. The only exception would be during an all black belt training session (not a formal class) where the jackets have been shed do to not stoping to put it back on, because a sleeve has become a casualty, etc.
Uniformity and tradition...and as far as "allowing exceptions and expression among the higher ranks" NEGATIVE!!!!! They have fewer excuses and are precisely the ones the lower ranks are looking to as examples! If you walk into a room full of military cadets and a few D.I.(s) who better be the sharpest in the room? EXACTLY!
TAEKWON!
Spooks