I really think the coveralls were a stepback in style from the space jeans, bomber jackets and BMX helmets. I mean, what use is being pressurized when you don't look cool??? Better dead than out of style, I say.
On the keyboard vs joystick issue:
I played WC I the first time with keyboard only. And, for some strange reason, that was the only time I ever beat the Save the Ralari Mission... Even though I obviously fly a lot better with a decent joysick. I personally use the Sidewinder Precision 2, and I'm quite satisfied with it, after two nightmarish Wingman Extremes. Which broke soooooooooo fast. Anyways, I find playing Freelancer with the mouse quite intuiive and fun. Bear in mind that Freelancer is closer to a Hybrid of FPS+Diablo in Space than to most Space Sims.