Who would traditionally use Elven armour?

[irrevenant]

Lore question: Who would traditionally use Elven armour? We mostly see Thalmor wearing it, but is it specifically an Altmer thing? Would you expect to see Dunmer and Bosmer wearing it too?

[Sogreth]

I would think not. At least not Bosmer, as they tend to be the "woodsman" race. That armor doesn't seem like it suits them.

Dunmer, I'm not too sure on. I never played it, but what did many of the NPCs wear in Morrowind?

[Rezonus]

Guess neither of you have played the dragonborn DLC? dark elves wear bonemold, like they did in morrowwind

[irrevenant]

I have Dragonborn but have yet to go to Solstheim.

Hmm, okay, thanks.

[FauxFurry]

The last few Snow Elves wear Ivory Armor and, if you count Orsimer and Dwemer as elves, they wear Orichalcum and Dwemer (of course) armor just to further point out that each elven race has their own armor preferences.
Just chalk the name Elven Armor up to Altmer arrogance causing them to see themselves as the truest Elves of them all.

[alexander_dougherty]

As Fauxfurry says, only Altmer would make Elven Armour, traditionally all sorts might wear it, bandits and poor enemy guards, would loot it from dead Altmer. Adventurers who had visited Altmer cities might buy it to replace worn out Armour.

Bosmer traditionally prefer leather armour, they have nothing against metal, but they live in tree villages and cities (some of these tree cities can actually walk about, but not all), where weight would be a consideration for climbing, jumping about, etc.
Dunmer have Bonemold armour, and would have traditionally worn other types of armour, but not Elven armour, it clashes both aesthetically, and culturally (since they fight more with Altmer than any other Elven race).
Dwemer traditionally wore Dwarven armour, even when better was available, because it was tuned to their magic, and thus felt better to them.
Snow Elves before they descended into the Falmer of today had their own Armour, which suited their lifestyle more.
Maormer have their own Armour styles, and would rather die than wear something in the style of their hated cousins.
The other Elven races would have had their own armours and atitudes towards Altmer armour.