Individuals as concerned with fashion sense as personal safety may wear flexible armor in styles other than those described on the armor tables. This option enables executives, politicians, secret agents, celebrities and bodyguards to rely on discreet protection while appearing to be unarmored; it also works well for armored supers costumes. Specialty shops may design tailored armor to order using computerized manufacturing systems such as fabricators or nanofacs.

Example: A few months after a terrorist attack on the Emperor’s Ball, Captain Alice Iwakura is asked to attend another formal affair. This time she plans to be better prepared. Arriving in a ballistic nanoweave jacket and trousers won’t cut it. What to wear?

Select ballistic (p. 172), reflec (p. 173), ablative (p. 173), bioplas (p. 171), or energy (p. 174) body armor. Record the statistics of the suit version of that armor type. Its DR, cost, weight, and LC will be used as the basis of the rest of the outfit.

Example: We choose a TL10 tailored nanoweave bodysuit (p. 172 ) as the basis of our outfit. To start with, it has DR 18/6, covers all locations, and is $1,200, 8 lbs. and LC3.

Choose the locations that are covered by the outfit. Each location has its own multiplier; add the multipliers for all locations covered. This will give the “coverage multiplier” of the entire outfit. The numbers add up to 1 (all locations covered).

Outfits may be designed that only protect a location (other than eyes or face) from the front (such as a low-cut dress) or the back (such as a cape). Halve the multiplier.

Outfits can be designed to protect only part of a location. For example, a miniskirt protects just part of the legs; a bikini bottom provides skimpy coverage to the groin. Halve the coverage multiplier for half-coverage; multiply by 0.25 for skimpy coverage (about 25% of the area). If a partly-covered location is struck, make an activation roll (see p. B116) using 3d to see if the protected area was struck. This is an 11 or less for armor with half-coverage, or 8 or less for skimpy coverage. Any armor on the upper torso always protects the vitals, and any armor on the face always protects the eyes.

Example: Alice considers nanoweave evening dresses. Her final selection is cut low in front and backless. It covers half the front torso (0.25 ¥ 0.5 ¥ 0.5 = 0.0625), the groin, (0.10) and half her legs (0.25 ¥ 0.50 = 0.125) for a total multiplier of 0.0625 + 0.10 + 0.125 = 0.2875. We multiply the armor’s weight and cost by the total multiplier to get $345 and 2.3 lbs. Her chosen outfit will protect the front of her torso (if she rolls 11-) from the front only, her groin, and her legs (if she rolls 11-).

Now that the coverage has been selected, decide whether the clothing is heavy, normal, light, or diaphanous. This will multiply DR, cost, and weight, and may affect LC.

Heavy: Trench coats, winter clothing, etc. If it’s supposed to be anything else, it’s easily recognized as a protective outfit. Multiply weight, cost, and DR by 1.5. Reduce LC by 1.

Normal: The outfit can pass as typical civilian attire, such as shirts, jackets, skirts, and trousers. Use the base values.

Light: This is typical of T-shirts, evening wear, summer wear, and many undergarments. It can be easily worn under clothing. Multiply weight, cost, and DR by 2/3. Increase LC by 1.

Diaphanous: This is typical of wispy lingerie or swimsuits. It doesn’t look like armor at all, and can be worn under other outfits. Multiply weight, cost, and DR by 1/2. Increase LC by 1.

Example: We decide Alice’s evening dress is Light, which multiplies weight, cost and DR by 2/3. It now has DR 18/6 x 2/3 = DR 12/4, costs $345 x 2/3 = $230, and weighs 2.3 lbs. x 2/3 = 1.53 lbs. It is LC3 + 1 = LC4.

Finally, decide whether the outfit is of average cut (no extra cost), stylish (four times cost) or a fashion original (20 times cost). These multipliers are cumulative with all others, including accessories that were added to the outfit, except power supply costs.

Example: It’s an exclusive party, so Alice orders a fashion original: 20 x $230 = $4,600. She is now dressed to kill, with an evening gown that has DR 12/4 over half her front torso, the groin, and half her legs, costs $4,600, weighs 1.53 lbs. and is LC4.

Any appropriate accessories or clothing options (e.g., buzz fabric) may be added at the usual cost.