Introduction: Why This Question Matters
If you have played Skyrim for some time, you already know the joy of traveling with companions. They fight by your side, carry your loot, and make the adventure less lonely. But many players, sooner or later, ask the same question: Can you make companions wear outfits in Skyrim or not?
At first, it seems simple. You give them clothes, and they should wear them. But then you notice something strange. No matter what you hand over, they often return to their boring default armor. You want your follower to look stylish in robes, elegant in noble clothes, or battle-ready in matching gear. But Skyrim’s system does not always cooperate.
This article will give you the full picture. We will explore how the follower outfit system works, what you can and cannot do in the vanilla game, what tricks you can use, and how mods can give you complete outfit control.
By the end, you will know every option and be able to decide how to dress your companions for roleplay, immersion, or just fun screenshots.
Table of Contents
- Can You Make Companions Wear Outfits in Skyrim or Not?
- How Companion Outfit System Works in Skyrim
- Vanilla Skyrim: Can You Make Companions Wear Outfits or Not?
- Tricks to Control Outfits Without Mods
- Can You Make Companions Wear Outfits in Skyrim Using Mods?
- Best Mods for Outfit Control
- Outfit Roleplay Ideas for Companions
- Table: Vanilla vs Modded Outfit Control
- FAQs: Can You Make Companions Wear Outfits in Skyrim or Not?
- Conclusion: The Best Way to Control Companion Outfits
Can You Make Companions Wear Outfits in Skyrim or Not?
The answer is yes and no.
- Yes, because you can give companions items, and they will sometimes wear them.
- No, because their choices depend on hidden rules that you cannot override in the vanilla game.
Every follower has a “default outfit.” These items are invisible in their inventory. Even if you take everything away, they will magically return to these clothes. This is why you see Lydia wearing steel armor again and again, even if you gave her fancy robes.
So when you ask “Can you make companions wear outfits in Skyrim or not?” the real answer is:
- Without mods: Only if the new gear has higher stats than the default gear.
- With mods: Yes, you can force any outfit, save presets, and control their look completely.
How Companion Outfit System Works in Skyrim
To understand the limitations, you need to know how the game is designed. Skyrim was built with combat in mind, not fashion. Companions are coded to prefer survival over style.
Key Rules of the Outfit System
- Default Gear: Every follower has armor or clothes coded as permanent.
- Stat-Based Choices: Followers automatically wear the strongest armor available.
- Fallback System: If you remove everything, they reappear in their default set.
- Weapons Work the Same Way: They pick the strongest weapon in their inventory.
This explains why companions ignore your attempts to make them wear elegant or weak outfits.
Vanilla Skyrim: Can You Make Companions Wear Outfits or Not?
Yes, but only in a limited way.
Here is what you can and cannot do in vanilla Skyrim:
- ✅ Make them wear strong armor (if it beats their default).
- ✅ Control their weapons (give them a better sword or bow).
- ❌ Dress them in weak clothes (robes, party outfits, noble clothes).
- ❌ Remove their hidden gear (they will always have it).
So if your dream is to see Lydia in a fancy red dress or Faendal in noble robes, vanilla Skyrim will disappoint you.
Tricks to Control Outfits Without Mods
Even without mods, creative players have discovered ways to influence what companions wear. These tricks are not perfect, but they give you some control.
Using Enchantments
If you want a follower to wear a weaker outfit, enchant it with powerful armor boosts. The game compares stats, so enchanted robes can “beat” default steel armor.
Pickpocketing Defaults
With high pickpocket skill, you can sometimes steal a follower’s default gear. Once gone, they may wear what you give them. This does not work on all NPCs, but it can be fun to try.
Console Commands for PC
If you play on PC, you can force companions to equip items:
- Open console (
~key). - Click on your follower.
- Type:
equipitem [item code].
This makes them wear exactly what you want, but it feels like cheating for some players.
Can You Make Companions Wear Outfits in Skyrim Using Mods?
Yes, and this is the ultimate solution. Mods were created to fix Skyrim’s clunky outfit system. With the right mod, you can:
- Remove default outfits.
- Assign custom clothes and armor.
- Save multiple outfits for different roles.
- Switch outfits based on combat, city, or travel.
If you truly care about immersion, mods are the best path.
Best Mods for Outfit Control
Amazing Follower Tweaks (AFT)
- One of the oldest and most popular follower mods.
- Lets you change outfits, combat style, and even behaviors.
- You can set custom outfits and switch them anytime.
Extensible Follower Framework (EFF)
- Advanced and powerful mod.
- Gives full menus for follower management.
- Perfect for players with many companions.
Nether’s Follower Framework (NFF)
- Modern, lightweight, and highly customizable.
- Outfit manager built-in.
- Works smoothly with other mods.
Outfit Roleplay Ideas for Companions
Once you know how to control outfits, you can get creative.
Warrior Outfits
- Heavy armor sets like Daedric or Ebony.
- Matching shields for battle unity.
Mage Outfits
- Robes enchanted with magic boosts.
- Staffs for style and power.
Stealth Outfits
- Dark Brotherhood armor.
- Thieves Guild sets.
- Light enchanted leather.
Casual and Noble Outfits
- Fine clothes for city roleplay.
- Dresses and tunics for immersion.
- Party outfits for quests like “A Night to Remember.”
Table: Vanilla vs Modded Outfit Control
| Feature | Vanilla Skyrim | With Mods (AFT, EFF, NFF) |
|---|---|---|
| Change outfits freely | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Remove default hidden gear | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Save multiple outfits | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Roleplay clothing (non-combat) | ❌ Limited | ✅ Full Control |
| Easy to manage outfits | ❌ Hard | ✅ Very Easy |
FAQs: Can You Make Companions Wear Outfits in Skyrim or Not?
Can I make Lydia wear clothes instead of armor?
Only if the clothes have better stats or you use mods.
Why does my follower go back to their default armor?
Because Skyrim is coded to always restore default outfits.
Can I control outfits on consoles?
Not fully. Only PC players with mods can do it properly.
Do mods break the game?
No, most follower outfit mods are stable and widely used.
Conclusion: The Best Way to Control Companion Outfits
So, can you make companions wear outfits in Skyrim or not?
- In vanilla Skyrim: Yes, but with strict limits. You cannot freely dress them.
- With tricks: You can enchant clothes, pickpocket gear, or use console commands.
- With mods: You get complete freedom. Any outfit, any time, with easy management.
If you care about roleplay, immersion, or simply want your companions to look stylish, mods are the ultimate answer. Skyrim is not only about dragons and quests—it is also about creating a world that feels alive and personal. Outfits are part of that story.
