In Oblivion, when I was playing a mage character, I never wore armor (except boots or gauntlets sometimes for looks only). I didn't need to! The clothing in the game could be enchanted to give you just as much protection as the most powerful armor.

For one thing, that's' cool yet lame in its own right. There should be SOME advantage to wearing armor over just wearing enchanted clothes. But I really digress.

The problem I had most was that wearing a robe used up two slots. CMON. The whole idea of the robe is to give the mage a distinct look, yet it creates a disadvantage! Why deny the mage, who needs enchanted clothing more than anyone, the one extra clothing slot? I hate it.

Mages should be able to slot as much clothing as a warrior can slot armor. End of story.

Edit - suggestions that I like from below:

• More pants for women (not skirts).
  
• Shorts?

I agree with you, good point.

This makes perfect sense, and it would be ludicrously easy for Bethesda to add. Let's hope they do it.

I never thought of it that way. But I see your point and coundn't agree more

Indeed, I did so enjoy the Morrowind style of equipment, back when Bethesda could think....

Yep! I loved the fact that you could wear armor on top of clothes. I can't remember... could you also wear robe on top of armor?

Yes you could, that's the only reason I wore armor in morrowind anyway.

You know what annoyed me about oblivion pants? For Women they turned into skirts or dresses..... NO I WANT PANTS..... Sorry If that was off topic.........

Yea, no, it was true. I didn't always want to wear a skirt. The only pants I ever wear as a female in Oblivion are the blacksmith pants.

And what about shorts? Is that a possibility ever?

Indeed.

I agree with this. Part of being a mage is wearing things that leave you vulnerable (hence squishy), however slots should be the same for cloth and armor.

I guess it could depend on how the spells play out too. Maybe there will be a large emphasis on shield spells that protect the mage from incoming attacks?

Well enchant limit can make clothing more interesting then before, as well eliminate absurd combinations from Oblivion, when mages enchant prison irons and lower class shirts and pants instead of archmage robe, and still have greater protection then warrior in full suit of armor.
With certain crafting we can change physical parameters of items so can make item cost more but also increase enchanting limit for them.

Shorts..in Skyrim? Only for Khajiits

I agree 100%. They should have separate slots for shirts, pants and robes. For that matter, the same should go for armor. You should have a separate slot for gauntlets, pauldrons, chest pieces, greaves, bracers, boots, etc.. In other words, I don't mean to sound like that typical guy who loves everything about Morrowind and hates everything that changed in Oblivion, but honestly... The armor should be the way it was in Morrowind.

In Skyrim? It's COLD thar!!!! Lol