Yes Bob Knight! I think so. Not just the perception of outsiders who would otherwise be willing to give it a try but it is an expensive layer to have to pay for when its costly enough to purchase beverages and food.

Round here singers of chanty songs etc... gather at high priced places and all dress up in elaborate usually victorian costuming, However many dress as pirates.

Being one who entered the folk via actual field experiences in the pubs of the terraces of Newcastle I always associated the folk with ordinary dress and thought that dressing up / fancy dress would be the opposite thing to do.

Careful, there is nothing wrong with those who bring fancy dress to the music. It is harmless and indeed another valid dimension however, I tend to think in terms of environmental impact upon the folk world and I think the added cost as well as the perception that folk is something theatrical rather than something everyday takes something away from the ability of the music to become more of a lifeway and draw in new participants.

Conrad