I tend to use the reccommended gear button as a 'quick equip higher-level gear' button.

But sometimes the game gets confused. Example:
As an Archer, it thinks the
Level 8 Leather Leggings (Masterwork):
+1 Str +1 Dex

Are better than the
Level 12 Hard Leather Caligae
+1 Str/Vit/Dex/Determ

Because the Leggings have +1 to Physical/Magic defense.

So if I get good gear for a DIFFERENT slot, I eithr have to go manually change that slot, or use the recc. gear button, then manually change the leggings back.

I asked this way back in the day: Why can't we lock equipment slots, to make the recc. gear button ignore it?
This would come in HUGELY handy for jewelry slots, where the game tends to think that crap ring of +1 Def/Mdef is better than your ring of +5 every stat.