I'm in favor of the new system of how optimal gear works, simply because it offers the benefits of required level restrictions such as market stimulation and gear oriented goals, as well as keeping the flexibility of wearing what you want for aesthetic purposes all the while knowing your taking a massive stat hit in doing so. I think required levels for gear should remain for higher tier weapons and class/job specific pieces while the new optimal system remains for generic pieces. Decent compromise, no? Why can't we just have both!?