On my next character, I will definetly do things differently. I bought armor way too often. Being a Mesmer makes you a target too often, but I should have just gotten a run to Droknars then farmed for money and supplies.
My armor is consisted of 2 pieces of Droknar's, 2 pieces of Desert Collectors. And then the masks I bought at the Forge. The majority of the cost of my armor actually came from all the dye I put it in.
Counting my 3 masks, and 4 pieces of Armor I used
2 Blue
2 Purple
3 Silver
1 Yellow
1 Orange
5 Black
To be more specific
Mask 1: Gold. Sleek Mask, Yellow + Orange on a shiny mask
Mask 2: Black, Male Domination Mask, only way it looks any good
Mask 3: Silver, Costime Mask, again only way it looks good.
Coat: Desert Stylish, Blue+Purple+Black+Silver, in that order
Gloves: Forge Enchanters: Black
Pants: Forge Enchanters: Black
Boots: Desert Stylish, Same as Coat.
Needless to say, screw the Ascention Armor, mine rocks.
