First of all, DizMe: you look great!!
Generally speaking:
I think the rules and distinctions become important depending on the context and situation. For example, if you are DBing at work, of course you would be more subtle and create outfits out of street clothes/business attire (can be done! I've seen some really fun, subtle 'Bounds in the workplace!). At the parks, the rules are a bit more flexible, but Disney's dress code rules still take precedence. I've seen guests turned away by security for wearing full on costumes (amazing, intricate outfits -- one group was all in NBC outfits, not for MHP, but on a regular day) to the parks, which is against Disney's rules. At ComicCon,
D23 Expo, WonderCon, etc., these costumes would have been entirely appropriate and could even have won prizes. But not at the parks on a normal day. Had these people been wearing true DBs, they would have been allowed into the parks without any problems. Lastly, for me personally, I like to abide by the DB "rules" (not rigidly -- there's usually more breathing room at the parks than in the real world) out of respect for Leslie Kay because it is her website and concept. Lots of people have taken the idea and run with it, but she really got it going on the internet, and I feel like I owe her a lot. Just my two cents...