I've debated whether this is really a bug. I think it would be more of an enhancement request, so if you drop it in Not A Bug, I don't blame you!

Anyway... the Recommended Gear feature is really wonky when it comes to some low level items. One prominent example:

It sees "aetherial brass wristlets" as being worse than "brass wristlets." Best I can tell, this is because the regular ones are equipable at 16, and the aetherial at 15. So ironically, that'd even make the pink ones better. I think you'll find the same situation with "aetherial brass gorget." Another oddity is the new "manor beret" versus "battlemage hat." The hat obviously being better but not marked as so.

This is really just the recommended gear algorithm being somewhat incompatible with low level equipment. Thus, I don't see it as really a bug, but w/the new dungeon gear drop rates, you see it more and more. Anyway, just letting someone know!