From fashionable accessories to heavy-duty armor, apparel has a significant effect on your appearance, performance, and overall durability. The Commonwealth holds its share of dangers, and the right apparel can greatly increase your odds of survival. Of course, exactly how you choose to survive will ultimately determine the usefulness of any apparel item.
In general, heavier apparel items offer better protection. If you rely on speed or stealth, then protective metal armor will be too cumbersome to meet your needs. However, if you tend to charge into battle, you’re sure to benefit from the most effective armor you can find, regardless of the extra weight. In either case, Legendary and Exceptional gear can make such decisions even more difficult—the bonus granted by a rare piece of armor might outweigh any concerns about weight or damage mitigation.
Use your Pip-Boy to review and equip the apparel items in your inventory. A quick glance is all it takes to gauge the protection offered by your current ensemble, but you can also see exactly how that protection is distributed. Tired of crippling injuries? Equip items that reinforce vulnerable limbs. Visiting the Crater of Atom? Make sure your Radiation Resistance is up to snuff. Just cycle the display to show how well you’d withstand different types of damage. You can even flag your favorite items for easy access.
Your choice of apparel also affects how people treat you. A head-turning ensemble often elicits comments from passersby, and especially pleasing apparel items make it easier to win friends and strike favorable deals. Combine items to create your own signature look, or keep a selection of clothes on hand to change your appearance as needed.
Many apparel pieces can be modified to better suit your needs. With the right skills and materials, you can craft mods for vault jumpsuits and most armor pieces at any armor workbench. However, many apparel items can only be modified with help from the Railroad. Complete the “Jackpot” radiant quest to unlock ballistic weave mods. Once you do, you can use armor workbenches to craft these protective linings and attach them to a variety of apparel items.