What's the easiest way to manage outfits for your soldiers in a cold climate?

[mw00]

I added a tailcap to "soldier" outfit preset for making soldiers stay warm during winter, but they are not picking this item up automatically

[Duke Flapjack]

Well, you could right click on the item and force your pawns to wear it. That's the only way I can think of to guarantee your pawns wear a specific item.

[Limdood]

There are tons of questions unanswered

Does that outfit allow other hats? If so, they won't choose tail cap over other options just because you want them to. They usually pick the most damage protect items.

Are the colonists set to that outfit?

Does the outfit prohibit certain percentages or qualities?

Do you have tail caps available?

Are they tainted with tainted disallowed?

It's probably the first one. If you want them to only wear that item, you have to only allow that one item for that body slot. Otherwise the game ai might choose a different apparel option.

[Paroe]

Originally posted by Limdood:

There are tons of questions unanswered

Does that outfit allow other hats? If so, they won't choose tail cap over other options just because you want them to. They usually pick the most damage protect items.

Are the colonists set to that outfit?

Does the outfit prohibit certain percentages or qualities?

Do you have tail caps available?

Are they tainted with tainted disallowed?

It's probably the first one. If you want them to only wear that item, you have to only allow that one item for that body slot. Otherwise the game ai might choose a different apparel option.

All of this is good stuff.
A common mistake people make when creating dress codes is that they forget to limit options, or limit options the wrong way (like making it so your colonists can only wear 0-60% clothing, or only good and below).

[Dracon]

Originally posted by error2k:

I added a tailcap to "soldier" outfit preset for making soldiers stay warm during winter, but they are not picking this item up automatically

Imho the best way is using the mod "armor racks".

You can have them equip whatever, and just have their armor stored on the rack. You also get a button that sends them to the rack to equip/unequip their gear.