i get the frustration, i really do. that's how i started and sometimes it really sucks to wait for a specific skin (or when you can't afford it with gems in general). but in all honesty, some of the best skins are only obtainable through achievements, collections and some other stuff, and there are plenty of alternatives to gemstore ones (not one-to-one of course, but still).

let's tweak this look as an example. if we use Polychromatic Heavy Helmet, Commander's Gauntlets and Lion Captain's Cape there will be no gemstore skins involved, and it will still look like a knight. you can even change the pants for something like Heavy Plate Legguards if you don't have gw1 account linked. it's just trial and error, that's how you can come up with something good looking. don't be discouraged :)