Some of us have to wear them as its expected but I know once out of the airport environment its an embarrassment. As soon as the bars are removed you are probably mistaken for a bus driver anyway)
Personally I prefer the Silver bars to Gold as they are not so much in your face and colour blend better with the black and white everything.
What I don't fully understand is the mentality of the PPL wearing a uniform whether flying a single or piston twin? Is it an ego ride or to give the appearance of professionalism.
I can understand instructors in flight schools doing so or even students on career chosen paths wearing two bars as it will be part of an attitude path towards their chosen career but the PPL ?? NO
Private jets yes as its part of attention to detail and I know one outfit where the pilots wore designer suits which were specially made including the bars as part of the design but that was because of the image the company wanted to display
maybe certain PPLs want to display an image
Pace