I wonder should future elderscroll introduce back armor penalty on spell. Also make spell stronger.

I think in both gameplay and lore it is more easier to justify the different of Mage/sorcerer build (same to like nightblade vs Spellsword vs battlemage)

Also hope the classes system return

armor penalty really makes zero sense in lore

and why would you want pre-made class, when you can just make your own in skyrim?

To make more different in why people train up as pure Mage vs sorcerer. it is like why some people go light armor and heavy armor. Both have some pro and con that make it different in both play style and world environment

As for classes it is more a bit role play issue

Classes limit choice and reduce variety. The current system is much better in my opinion.

For me, wearing clothing instead of armor in Skyrim is just for rp/flavor, since you can enchant any piece of armor as well as clothing and also make it weightless through perks. I don't think armor penalty is the best solution though; introducing more unique clothing with good enchants, like Archmage's Robes, would be better.