First the official description of the Transitional items - note the bolded section.
Additional Transition Bonus: In-game Items
What are the other transition bonuses?
Following successful transition of your account to the SOE Station platform on or before September 30, 2005, players will be able to choose one item from a selection of two exclusive in-game bonus items. The two exclusive items are: a pair of sunglasses and jacket specially designed for the billing transition bonus. Both items have the following enhancements, which can be activated from the hotbar or Action panel:
+5 Combat Tactics
+5 Viral Transmission
+5 Viral Deflection
The effect lasts for 10 seconds after activation—just enough time to finish off your opponent—and can be used once every 10 minutes.
How do I get the bonus items?
After the billing transition is complete, all characters will get a token placed in their Inventory. This token can be taken to Loripor (the Collector near the Mara Central hardline) and exchanged for either the sunglasses or jacket.
Do I have to wear the bonus clothing items to use them?
No. While the bonus clothing items will have special effects attached to them, you can use them even if they’re not equipped. Just drag the item (sunglasses or jacket) into your hotbar and use it from there.
Since the last patch this is no longer true. If you attempt to activiate the items while not wearing them, you will put them on, not activate them. Attempting to activate the same item a second time will activate it, but the animation is now missing.
This should be checked into and fixed as soon as possible (especially putting the animations back in place - it was a fairly useful RP tool >_<)
I have confirmed that this bug affects both items for both genders.
Additional Transition Bonus: In-game Items
What are the other transition bonuses?
Following successful transition of your account to the SOE Station platform on or before September 30, 2005, players will be able to choose one item from a selection of two exclusive in-game bonus items. The two exclusive items are: a pair of sunglasses and jacket specially designed for the billing transition bonus. Both items have the following enhancements, which can be activated from the hotbar or Action panel:
+5 Combat Tactics
+5 Viral Transmission
+5 Viral Deflection
The effect lasts for 10 seconds after activation—just enough time to finish off your opponent—and can be used once every 10 minutes.
How do I get the bonus items?
After the billing transition is complete, all characters will get a token placed in their Inventory. This token can be taken to Loripor (the Collector near the Mara Central hardline) and exchanged for either the sunglasses or jacket.
Do I have to wear the bonus clothing items to use them?
No. While the bonus clothing items will have special effects attached to them, you can use them even if they’re not equipped. Just drag the item (sunglasses or jacket) into your hotbar and use it from there.
Since the last patch this is no longer true. If you attempt to activiate the items while not wearing them, you will put them on, not activate them. Attempting to activate the same item a second time will activate it, but the animation is now missing.
This should be checked into and fixed as soon as possible (especially putting the animations back in place - it was a fairly useful RP tool >_<)
I have confirmed that this bug affects both items for both genders.