Whould you rather equip gear that you like, or gear that is rare?

I have a working beta VCR. Is it useful to you? It barely is to me.

No, that is a subjective measurement. The entirety of this game is based on subjective notions like "fun" and "money's worth." Therefore any choices you make in the game regarding how you and your character interact within the game are subjective choices.

You're assuming "stronger character and easier leveling" are things that by definition are superior to the alternatives. Some players don't give a fig. I gave a player a low-level WP-based vibrosword so he could have dual vibroswords on his Marauder because he wanted to RP a melee Mandalorian. He didn't care at all that it was the "wrong" sword for a STR-based character.

Looking "snazzy" is useful to some players. Maybe it enhances their RP. Maybe they just like pretending.

That's the OP's notion, not mine.

In the context of the game, where nothing is really useful for anything but entertainment, all attributes are equal. If you disagree, you are taking the game way too seriously.

While I like having a unique look, especially something that took some effort to obtain, I won't wear it if I don't like the style of it. In line with this, if I really enjoy a very common look, I'll wear it regardless. Basically it breaks down to:
utility > style > rarity

But if it's an item that took some effort to get, I do love it more. If that makes me shallow, so be it, I'll own my failings.

Gear that I like, always.

I don't care that everyone is running around in the same Eradicator's Robe or Bastila Shan outfit that my characters are wearing. I like them, so I'm wearing them.

If i think it looks good and fits my character well i will wear it, sometimes this mean i have common armor like my jedi has the male elegant chest with brown/brown dye to make it look jedi like, however my warrior has malaks mask and my inquisitor has his chest, but not because they are rare but because i like the look for them.

gear that i like.

This right here, and it doesn't even apply to low level greens but greens of all levels. I've not found many helms I like the look of, so usually I'm hiding the head slot on my toons. Yet, on Makeb I've found a dozen helms I like the look of and 1 in particular which is perfect! However, can't wear it most of the time because its green and the stats suck.

But the odds of BW making that a possibility? Zero. Unless they find a way to make it cost CC like the Appearance changes do.

Yeah, although I don't really roleplay I do develop concepts for my characters. My sorc healer is dressed way, way different from my sage healer, for instance, because I imagine their personalities are very different (Empire vs. Republic aesthetic aside).

Depends.
Clothing?? No.
Title? No.

Clothing on my COMPANION.... Yeh, probably.
Pets? Yeh, cause not many pets are likable and noticeable enough to be preferred over rare pets...
And Speeders, if it's a raid speeder, yes. I liked my Diplomats Hoverchair, but the Tank mount from EC NIM took precedence, because it's almost as cool, but rarer, and Individuality that comes with rare items is worth a slightly deteriorated look.

So true.

I'd pick gear I like over gear that is rare any day of the week. My appearance is very important to me.