Commonly, NPCs are seen wearing the same couple of outfits no matter what town the Dragonborn visits, but sometimes a character is spotted wearing clothing that doesn't quite fit the theme of Skyrim. Many of these impractical outfits worn by NPCs the player meets are special to them and are one way that these characters can be spotted.
On other occasions, the outfits just don't seem too realistic when compared to the freezing cold environment of Skyrim, where it never really stops snowing. Based on the appearances of these clothes, it's safe for players to believe that these outfits are in no way protective from the elements of Skyrim.
6 Bodil – Dawnstar
This isn't just directed at the mine worker Bodil, but every NPC found in cold towns and cities across Skyrim, where the snow is so thick that players can hardly see ahead of themselves. It should be noted that Nords are native to Skyrim, and therefore they may be used to this cold, but even so, they shouldn't be walking around in such thin attire as they do.
Mods have been created where it changes the outfits the NPCs wear so that it fits more realistically with the environment they are in. Otherwise, it's hard not to wonder why many of these characters haven't fallen into hypothermia. Especially Bodil who can be found working the Iron-Breaker Mine in Dawnstar where she is subjected to wearing ragged trousers which when worn by a man completely remove their shirt. Not great for the weather Skyrim is known for.
5 Snilf – Riften
Once again, this isn't just directed at Snilf, and it is unfortunately something that they can't control. The outfits that the beggars of Skyrim are forced to wear are appalling for the snowy and rainy days that the Dragonborn walks through. Many players have taken pity on NPCs like Snilf that are just looking for a single septim to buy themselves something to eat, but some may wish that they could buy him a whole new outfit as well.
Their clothes may be realistic to what may be imagined for a medieval beggar, but that doesn't stop the outfit from being impractical when it comes to defending against the elements. Many of the outfits worn by beggars like Snilf are sleeveless and made from the thinnest of materials, some don't even have shoes, though luckily Snilf appears to have been able to buy a pair. These beggars need warmer clothes.
4 Sheogorath – Solitude
Arguably one of the most loved Daedric Princes, Sheogorath rules as the princes of madness in style, and his outfit matches this. In Skyrim, Sheogorath keeps his iconic two-tone suit patterned with spirals that make him look rather dapper. Compared to his seducer bodyguards that certainly have a questionable armor choice, the mad god doesn't look too bad, even if it is a statement piece of an outfit, it's certainly rememberable.
Although fashionable, the suit isn't exactly protective and Sheogorath may remind the Dragonborn of his immortality, but that doesn't mean he is completely unable to be killed. It may be unlikely, but someone that was to get the better of him would be able to get past these defenses to best him. However, this could all be a disguise for Daedric princes like Sanguine, who disguised himself as a mortal man to go drinking across Skyrim.
3 Cicero – Whiterun
This eccentric imperial dresses the part of the jester when he can be found near Whiterun or in the Falkreath Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary. Although Cicero is an assassin, and a good one at that, his outfit certainly doesn't allow him to blend in very well with the people of Skyrim. Even without his funny outfit, other NPCs are quick to point out his odd nature.
Disregarding how much it stands out, the clothing also gives Cicero no armor as it is just fabric, which means what happens when an assassination goes wrong? There is no defense to it, so any blade or spell would pierce right through it. Although it is heavily enchanted to better his skills. Players can obtain their own set of jester duds at the end of the Dark Brotherhood quest line, or just steals his clothes if they decide to kill him.
2 Nocturnal – Falkreath
As the goddess of night and darkness, her outfit must match this aesthetic and that it does to complement her beauty. However, the revealing robes she does wear don't appear to be the most practical of outfits. Daedric Prince or not, beauty isn't a defense, and the clothing she wears although refines her beauty further doesn't protect her from possible attacks by mere mortals.
She may be powerful enough to avoid getting hit by those that dare to oppose her, but is her willpower strong enough to protect her from the cold? Can daedra even feel the cold in the first place? These are questions that Skyrim hasn't answered, but it does make the player wonder further about the fashion choices of the Daedric Princes. As the patron of the Thieves Guild, why is her outfit not more oriented to those of her followers or vice versa, but maybe that's a good thing.
1 Ulfric Stormcloak – Windhelm
Imagine being the most wanted man in the whole of Skyrim and not wearing armor at every waking hour of the day, well that is exactly the mentality of Jarl Ulfric, leader of the Stormcloaks. This man has already been captured once before while dressed in his finest, and yet Ulfric has never considered upgrading what he wears as he sits on his throne in the Palace of Kings in Windhelm.
The outfit itself is insulated, which is sure to keep him warm in his freezing kingdom up north. Out of his entire outfit, the only part to give him any armor is his bracers and even those are a measly five points of defense, not likely to protect him against the imperial soldiers that want his head. Luckily for Ulfric, he's an essential NPC until the final mission of the civil war if the Dragonborn sides with the Imperial Legion.
The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim is currently available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Switch.