Ok what about an idea of like aetheric transmutation? We give crafters the ability to break down and extract the aetheric essence of armors under their jurisdiction and transplant that essence in to other pieces of similar gear. This gives reasoning and lore to vanity, keeps crafters relevant, if not increase their desirability, and makes it so that you are wearing what it says you are wearing to appease to the realism crowd.

Restrictions are passively placed due to an aetheric essence being able to only meld into similar gear. Like plate to plate for example. I feel like this is a decent way to appease everyone AND make it lore relevant while preventing the dreaded yukata tanks look