Yes yes, I copied this idea from the guy who made the mage one.

Anyway, I usually go with: Bosmer, steed (starting out with 75 speed is very helpful), Bow (and a dagger as a side) and light armor (although I am considering making a thief who uses robes to carry more loot and go faster).

Argonian.
The Thief.
Acrobatics (it comes in handy with the majority of my characters).
Bows & arrows.
Light armour.

I sense an anatomy of a warrior thread coming soon maybe? :]

Khajiit
The Thief
Sneak
H2H
Light Armour

For me it would be:

Khajiit
The Thief
Sneak
Bow & Arrow
Light Armour

Argonian, The Thief, Sneak, Bow, Light Armor Can't say I've tried a H2H character...

Khajiit, the Thief birthsign, sneak, Light Armor, bows and daggers for long and short range respectfully, the stock assassin class. A very succesful member of both Thieves Guild and Dark Brotherhood.

As in the Mage thread, i use RBP's Ohmes-Raht race, The Thief birthsign gives "Sense Guards" and "Scout" (night-eye+life detect) lesser powers that are perfect for thief and assassin characters. Only used armor is DB's Shrouded Armor and Morag Tong armor (colored black).

Typically Bosmer Atronach. Favourite skill is marksman, and favourite attack is bow. Armour varies; either no armour or light armour.

Argonian'
Theif
Sneak
dagger (enchanted very well, of course)
Robes (black hand) or light armour :/

*cough*Copycat*cough*.

Anyhow, Khajiit, The Thief, Light Armour, Dagger.

Redgaurd, this race is good for speed and agility fighting. Also again I don't like to look like an elf.

Marksman of course, do I really have to state a reason?

Bows/shortsword/dagger

My stats start low but I train them.

Favorite is acrobatics and sneak, never see me coming from above.

illusion is a must and always have a 180 or 360-detect life with sigil enchanted armor/jewelery
also alchemy again(poisens!)

Always wear leather cuirass/boots and a brown hood with a mix of orcish greaves and gauntlets(looks awesome).

Thief birthsign (never saw that one coming did'ja?)

I think it's actually rather apropriate that you stole the idea to make a thief poll.

Bosmer, always Bosmer.
The Thief. (Or sometimes the Steed.)
Marksman.
Bow and arrow.
Light armour.

My most successful thief was:
Bosmer, The Thief
Bow
Light Armor
Acrobatics

Khajiit
The Steed
Blade
Shortblade
Light Armor

Copykhajit

Bosmer

Thief Birthsign

Marksman

Bows & Arrows

Mix of Light Armor and Magic Clothing

Bosmer
Thief
Acrobatics
Longsword (overkill ftw)
Light armor.

At least that was my most successful vanilla thief.

I'm starting my first character over. Since I'm being a copy-cat myself, I wanted to look human since my mod setup is all thievery-related (TA, TIE, etc) for my gaming experience.
I named my character, Garrett, of course!

I based my character's looks off of the numerous sketches of him (narrower face, possibly green eyes - hard to tell with distant renderings and he lost one eye in the series and it being replaced by a mechanical eye).

I first started with Khajiit, liking the night eye toggle I installed, but that wouldn't be true to the experience I now want to try and have instead.

Since this is a special set-up, blackjack / gas arrows, dagger/longsword second (since you had access to a longsword in the game). I don't know about armor yet. Either leather/cloth (would like to know if there is a black hooded cloak in the game).

Argonian
Atronarch
Marksman
No armor ;]

favorite skill is Illusion. Invisibility is invaluable.

My favorite thief is a smart ass imperial guy who uses illusion, inviso and command, all the time and fights as little as possible. So Illusion is definitely my favorite skill.

Now when I play as a true thief I rarely seek combat, rather just sneak and steal and perform guild quests.
This is more to do with the fact that appart from the odd ranged sneak attack, its not very thief like and I tend to find dungeon delving gets boring / impossible when you role play as one.

But as a rogue sneak / illusion / marksman / alchemy / acrobatics / security are the best picks with blade or h2h.
With some mods and even vanilla h2h is very good as you never need to repair, and luckily no one decided to put in decapatation of limbs in oblivion so you will never get disarmed.
Light or no armour is best, plus a descent bow and if you go for blades something quick and speedy.

Bosmer - Race Bonuses
The Lady - Willpower for spells, Endurance cuz it's awsome.
Sneak - I've used a bunch of different thief builds but they all use sneak
Bow and Arrow - So satisfying
Clothes - Armor weighs me down and clothes are better for enchanting than robes.