It seems to me that Character appearance changes would be extremely easy to implement. They have the code, I am sure there's a dev code to call up the char creation screen. They'd just stick an NPC in each Outlaw Refuge who will give you a makeover for Gold. Then throw it in the Crown Store as well.
The only thing I can think of is that:
- It has something to do with long-term profit planning - they hold back what they will put in the Crown Store
- They want to tie it to the Thieves or Assassins Guild or something
- They somehow coded Character creation in such a way that it is difficult to break out the appearance tab from CLass, Race, etc.