Seriously, Cartel Packs are here to stay, they are going to add in new armour and looks constantly so if they want to encourage people to obtain the new stuff, and have reasons for so many 'costume' options in their collections, then making changing your outfit much easier is going to be what does it.
The only thing stopping me from changing my look for RP and other reasons is that to do so is a significant cost that is associated with it OR a huge time sink as I have to go buy mods etc for every potential outfit I want to wear.
It is a player unfriendly system. And BioWare would see benefit in terms of increased demand for different outfits from the cartel market etc IF players could easily switch them out. Its Win/Win. Being able to throw Huttball uniform on for a PvP match, then afterwards hitting the cantina and throwing on your spiffy clothes/trenchcoat then later a guild meeting on Coruscant (or Dromund Kaas) in your formal wear, etc...
^this