Why are cosmetics so restrictive?

[RyuujinZERO]

Square's art direction simply knocks it out the ballpark for MMOs; which is fantastic because as we all know, the real end-game of MMO is creating a unique and awesome look that suits your character.

However, as a tank, I find myself stuck having to choose between either heavy pauldrons, flanchards, spikey metal plating, or fluffy civilian clothing and underwear; with no middleground. And I know I'm not alone, a black mage I spoke to recently was lamenting that he could not wear plate armour to create more of a battlemage look; and I really can't see a good reason why they can't. Even Paplymo wears plate gauntlets, and Yda plate greaves.

It's quite apparent that the developers don't care about "maintaining immersion" as the reason, because I can glamour my full plate to look like a bikini - but apparently I can't glamour it to look like a lightweight leather chestpiece from the "Maiming" or "Scouting" pools.

This is especially exacerbated by the launch of Stormblood, where they seem to have really doubled down on the "All pauldrons, flanchards and spikes" look for tanks, with only 1 new set featuring none of those 3 (And that swings so far the other way it ends up in bikini territory), yet gave a whole new wardrobe of varied and interesting looks to the other roles; even the DoL/DoH stuff this expansion is class locked.

Simply put, I don't understand why Square insists on locking content behind arbitrary limits for no clear reason in a sub-based game... anyone?

tl;dr - See title

EDIT: It's also come to my attention that apparently the Chinese FF14 servers have access to universal cosmetic versions of some restricted armours that we don't too. Which is a rather odd disparity

[Kallera]

They seemed to double down on this by restricting even the doh and dol leveling gear, an even worse direction than hw, which was worse than arr, and has gotten worse ever since Yoshida took the reins.

This is an unneeded , and undesirable direction to take. I enjoy using certain pieces out of fashion, to having it all be locked into only a certain discipline will not make me look like the latest tank or the far eastern samurai. I do not like having my choice of clothes being dictated via restrictions. If I want to run around Eorzea, I want to choose what I want to wear. if I want to tank in a bliaud and fringe boots I don't see why that warrants restrictions of similar looking gear for me to tank in. I clearly do not want to look like a far eastern samurai, nor do I want to look like a tin can all the time.

[Naunet]

Yup. All the glamour restrictions are ridiculous and play a huge part in making it an unfun feature.

[Vincenti]

I've always wanted better looking hoods. Slightly off topic but the amount of decent looking hoods is ridiculously low, and like the helmet visors i think it would be absolutely incredible to have the option to pull up/down your hood.

[Clawbriar]

It's most likely for a cohesive look, so you can see without glancing at weapons what kind of class that person is.

You know, like how the tanking Sky Pirate set is now the aiming Ghost Barque set, or how a version of the Wrangler's set now belongs to gathering classes.

[SenorPatty]

SE should just remove restrictions but add a QoL toggle feature that allows players to view others in their non-glamoured gear. Win-Win.

[Vincenti]

SE should just remove restrictions but add a QoL toggle feature that allows players to view others in their non-glamoured gear. Win-Win.

I'm all for toggles. More options the better.

[Aeeninwen_Taldel]

Make it rain hair style will be in the mogstation next year around the time the new event happens, which seems to happen with every event that they do.

I agree that there shouldn't be restrictions on glamour. I mean, right now my paladin looks like she's in a nightie, so there's no reason not to allow cross-class glamouring. I personally would love more options for glamouring looks. Though, I suppose it wouldn't make sense in some cases, like if I were to make my sword look like a samurai sword. :P

[Jandor]

I'm in favour of some restrictions, but I would open things up option wise a little more.

Still, it's probably a side effect of the fact we can only glamour things we can actually wear. I'm really not fussed enough to push for changing it when they could be working on a glamour log.

[Risvertasashi]

SE should just remove restrictions but add a QoL toggle feature that allows players to view others in their non-glamoured gear. Win-Win.

Not win-win. The whole point of glamor is for other people to see it.