So I have the AK chest/helm, DL left otherwise, some AK accs but no DL yet over there (+1ed BLM but maybe switching...).
For me, instead of +1 I'm thinking AF2 chest. For both efficiency and aesthetics:
Cowls suck. They limit options: Get the Allagan head in Turn 2 and you're back to Strategos? They're also expensive. I'm also vain.
Also by not buying the cowl you can spend philo on the accs and mats to get ilvl70 stuff (Hat/accs).