1. Definitely running simulations outside of animations...I mean, look at D-Force. You don't have to take your current pose and apply it to the end (or slightly before the end) of the animation and then call up a zero'd pose for the beginning of the animation.
2. I'm all for material properties that give basic clues as to how the object that has the material applied will behave...and not just in the cloth room, but for rendering as well.
3. A thorough default collision detection in the cloth room that prevents underlying figures from intersecting themselves. (a primary reason why you never see figures wearing dynamic cloth that are posed with their arms down tight to their sides)

I'd rather stay in my lane than lay in my stain!