Bards throughout history wore bright, even garrish colors. The tradition of bards (or bard like people) goes back through martial history at least as far as knights and pikemen. Pre-Islamic arabian tribes often used poets, dressed brightly, to insult the opposing forces before battle began--a sufficiently potent beat down be verbally inflicted, battle would occasionally be averted. Warcallers in subsaharan tribes played a similar role. There are european counterparts to this as well. The in game lore makes heavy references to this way of life and role on the field. You are preforming admist death, you have to stand out.

I personally love the gear, af1 and 2. The pants coloring is intentional, its actually best described by the word "pied." I find it very appropriate for the class and the lore around it.

If you want to complain about bard, complain that its got a bow at all! Needs more songsmith less flying pointy ends.