Originally Posted by
retnav94
However, I fail to believe I am the only one who felt a little out of his element the first time he stepped out the door wearing only a second skin and a wind breaker.

I felt the same way.
When I was younger I can't ever recall thinking twice about wearing bike shorts or tights. After a number of years not biking and becoming ripe with age I thought I would physically die of embarrassment (if that's possible) if I went into the public when I first put on bike shorts and did the mirror, mirror on the wall thing.
Somehow it just didn't matter ?
I think of it like a nude beach.
The fact that there is no quality control applies to everyone.