I reckon the beat up about wearing the correct gear is a good thing but regardless of what you wear it only prevents the minor injuries.
You're still going to get broken bones and even death in worst cases and there isn't much you can do about that except be proactive about your own safety.
When ride the bike to the local supermarket I just wear normal boots, jeans, my old bike jacket and gloves (depending on the temp) but most of the local scooter brigade have the best safety gear; shorts, shirt/singlet and thongs though some go overboard and wear sandals.
I can't stand leather so I have kevlar jeans for any riding outside of town plus proper bike riding boots.
