interestingly, the artist who did those also drew a lot of men in ludicrously skimpy and impractical armor, though I can't remember his name to google for examples
dude no they didn't wear mail against the skin; see Frodo's mithril coat, worn over a leather jerkin (which we know because it imprinted in the leather when he was struck by a spear in Moria)
also, those skulls inspire me and I love the pic in the main plurk. fantastic!
exciting ideasnoembarrassment at being apparently attacked by giiirls? lololol