i noticed that you said that it was only practical on explorer and classic. why is this as i am planning to play on either tactician or honour mode. Also i am just checking, but you are saying that the actual armours shown in the creation are actually in the game and are avaliable?
I think he is saying that you will not be viable at level 17, with gear you acquired at level 10.
The preset class gear is not available late game. And the early/mid game armor is not going to work in tactician or honour mode.
I think this is what he was saying, disclaimer: I am ending act 1 atm.
As for helmets, you can always hide them. There were/are mods for DOS:1 that allowed you to transmog your armor. I would think that also exists in DOS2, if not now then coming soon.