I user riser stems with threadless steerers. I think it looks a lot better than a big stack of spacers.
I used to have a Long Haul Trucker with a big stack of spacers and a riser stem. For a touring bike, though, looks aren't even close to as important as comfort.
For threaded steerers with quill stems, I think it depends on the height. I'm still getting by with my bars around the same height as my saddle, and I think this looks OK.
There's definitely a point where a standard '7' quill doesn't look as good as a riser. I think I passed that point with this one.
I ultimately accepted that that bike was too small for me, but the same thing will happen when I start needing the bars much higher than the saddle.