Enemies are modified with different stuff on their outfits. Yet they are unequipped when you put on anthing else, and vice versa.
Really aggravating when I found the cool Drifter outfit, and found I could not modify it like my adversaries did.

it doesn't work with the Drifter outfit :/

the raiders had some 'leather armor' and 'raider leather armor' that worked well with the parts

There are a few suits that are full body, then there are outfits that fit under armor parts. It is a bit confusing for sure.

They need to fix it so Armorer perk allows it then, OR put a mark on outfits showing whether customizable.
Preferably the former.

A little sad I chose the armour crafting perk so far.
I too thought I'd create awesome stuff, then found so far I'm limited to raider leathers, harness, and arms and legs

So what DOES go with armor parts besides the Vault outfit? Next character is going to be made where he doesn't need it if I can.
OR, when mods come out, maybe someone will make one for that. Armor pieces with ANY outfit.

Armorer perk lets you boost power armor quality.

I'm using the Road Leathers as a base. Looks really good with the other leather stuff I've found so far. I'm looking forward to finding other bits and pieces as I explore though.

If you highlight the armour in your pip-boy it will show you what pieces of your body it covers. It will flash those part, so for instance if all body parts are flashing it covers everything, if just the legs are flashing it covers just the legs and you can use layered armour on the rest of you body. If no parts are flashing you can put layered armour on all parts.

Hope that makes sense

Road Leathers

Cool. Thanks Axe-Gaijen.

Confirmed.

I'm using army fatigues and a mix of leather/metal armor depending on the buff each piece provides