What is the gender of your toon? If it's male, t8 is probably your best option for a non-robe set.

If it's female, you should be looking at black mageweave set, or something similar:

http://www.wowhead.com/transmog-set=1127

(just use the vest instead of the robe).

But why anyone would use anything outside of the t2, t7, or t10 sets is beyond me. T2 and T7 are the most "magey" IMO, especially T7, which is similar to what Kel'Thuzad wears and is about as close to dalaran-magey as you can get imo. T2 has the same flavor with a more classic look. T10 I mention simply if you want a more elven-mage look, as the T10 set is what Blood Queen Lana'Thel is wearing.

For pure aesthetics, the other 2 sets I would recommend are the T11 set (especially for fire mages), and the T6 for a more arcane look. As Archmage Pants describe it, the T6 set makes you look like Tempest Keep (not coincidentally it's called the Tempest Regalia).

"But why anyone would use anything outside of the t2, t7, or t10 sets is beyond me."

I don't know, maybe they have different stylistic tastes than you?
I think T2 and most of T7 (especially the hat) look awful.

"I think T2 and most of T7 (especially the hat) look awful."

Complete blasphemy. It's obvious what set you are going to be sporting:

http://www.wowhead.com/itemset=670

Well at the moment I'm partial to http://www.wowhead.com/itemset=662#.
It goes quite well with my staff, which unfortunately can't be transmogrified

Thinking of T10 later though, that one at least we can agree looks good

@Pyro: Fashion is extremely subjective, and not every mage wants to look "Dalaran-y". I'm a mage, goddammit. If I don't look like I got spit out of RuPaul's Dragulator, I don't feel like I'm doing it right. I'm a Blood Mage by RP and theme, and the flashier the better as far as I'm concerned. T7 is boring and plain to me. I happen to love the Tempest Regalia for its balls out ostentatiousness. It was the very first outfit I wore on patch day, along with my Staff of the Redeemer, and I got a ton of compliments. I've since switched to T4 with my Frostscythe of Ahune.

Tirisfal Regalia is a gorgeous and understated set, on the opposite end of the spectrum, and I'm using the hood for my Sunreaver set (which is a work in progress). T12 is also incredibly appropriate for a Blood Mage, and I plan on keeping it in void storage for the future. I've been wearing it since the summer and I'm just tired of it now, but it's definitely going to be a top outfit some time from now.

tbh, mages have an embarassment of riches when it comes to ready-to-wear looks. Most of our tier looks great, we have very few "oh jesus what is that?" tiers. It's not like we're hunters. :P

Sometimes I wonder if you guys even read what the hell I'm writing, or if you just skip over the stuff you don't wanna see. Kylenne, I actually mentioned the T6 gear in my first reply. As well as the black mageweave rupaul set. And even the t11, which isn't magey at all but is certainly striking.

As for Imnick, well I had him pegged as a warlock, not a priest, but I knew I smelled a non-mage.

But yes Ky, mages do have some good choices. My only overall disagreement with is the t12 set. Wish I could wear that on my druid tbh, doesn't feel magey though. T10 vampire/san'layn look for your blood mage needs (there is even a red colored set of it).

If you want to see your trousers, just make your own outfit! There are so many cloth vests, shirts, jerkins and tunics that allow your lower appendages to breathe it seems a shame to not experiment a bit at what's possible.

Another great way towards a unique outfit is questing lower level areas. You get achievement points towards Loremaster AND find lots of goodlooking pieces of soulbound equipment.

I'm with Andrew here. Don't get too stuck on using the pre-formed sets! I dug through and came up with my own red & white "set" of random scattered pieces that look great together. I love it!