diff --git a/Projects/UOContent/Mobiles/BaseCreature.cs b/Projects/UOContent/Mobiles/BaseCreature.cs
index bd28ff590..af619e005 100644
--- a/Projects/UOContent/Mobiles/BaseCreature.cs
+++ b/Projects/UOContent/Mobiles/BaseCreature.cs
@@ -5724,6 +5724,20 @@ namespace Server.Mobiles
             }
         }
 
+        /// <summary>
+        ///     Equips <paramref name="item" /> in place of whatever an inherited outfit put on its layer.
+        ///     AddItem would stack both on one layer, and EquipItem would refuse and orphan the item.
+        /// </summary>
+        public void ReplaceEquipment(Item item)
+        {
+            FindItemOnLayer(item.Layer)?.Delete();
+
+            if (!EquipItem(item))
+            {
+                item.Delete();
+            }
+        }
+
         public virtual void HealStart(Mobile patient)
         {
             StopHeal();
diff --git a/Projects/UOContent/Mobiles/Monsters/LBR/Meers/MeerCaptain.cs b/Projects/UOContent/Mobiles/Monsters/LBR/Meers/MeerCaptain.cs
index d4b8eaf82..c7e7ab5d4 100644
--- a/Projects/UOContent/Mobiles/Monsters/LBR/Meers/MeerCaptain.cs
+++ b/Projects/UOContent/Mobiles/Monsters/LBR/Meers/MeerCaptain.cs
@@ -47,7 +47,8 @@ namespace Server.Mobiles
             pack.DropItem(new Bolt(Utility.RandomMinMax(10, 20)));
             pack.DropItem(new Bolt(Utility.RandomMinMax(10, 20)));
 
-            AddItem(
+            // The crossbow is wielded; the sword would share its hands, so it is carried as loot.
+            pack.DropItem(
                 Utility.Random(6) switch
                 {
                     0 => new Longsword(),
diff --git a/Projects/UOContent/Mobiles/Monsters/ML/Bedlam/MasterTheophilus.cs b/Projects/UOContent/Mobiles/Monsters/ML/Bedlam/MasterTheophilus.cs
index fd3747095..d326916de 100644
--- a/Projects/UOContent/Mobiles/Monsters/ML/Bedlam/MasterTheophilus.cs
+++ b/Projects/UOContent/Mobiles/Monsters/ML/Bedlam/MasterTheophilus.cs
@@ -42,8 +42,8 @@ namespace Server.Mobiles
             Fame = 18000;
             Karma = -18000;
 
-            AddItem(new Shoes(0x537));
-            AddItem(new Robe(0x452));
+            ReplaceEquipment(new Shoes(0x537));
+            ReplaceEquipment(new Robe(0x452));
 
             for (var i = 0; i < 2; ++i)
             {
diff --git a/Projects/UOContent/Mobiles/Monsters/SE/BakeKitsune.cs b/Projects/UOContent/Mobiles/Monsters/SE/BakeKitsune.cs
index 96a8954d6..1e00abeb9 100644
--- a/Projects/UOContent/Mobiles/Monsters/SE/BakeKitsune.cs
+++ b/Projects/UOContent/Mobiles/Monsters/SE/BakeKitsune.cs
@@ -176,11 +176,8 @@ namespace Server.Mobiles
         {
             _disguiseTimerToken.Cancel();
 
-            if (!IsBodyMod)
-            {
-                return;
-            }
-
+            // BodyMod is not saved, so after a restart a disguised kitsune comes back without it but still
+            // wearing the disguise; strip it regardless.
             Name = null;
             Title = null;
             BodyMod = 0;
diff --git a/Projects/UOContent/Mobiles/Townfolk/Merchant.cs b/Projects/UOContent/Mobiles/Townfolk/Merchant.cs
index e5867c645..f9e5425df 100644
--- a/Projects/UOContent/Mobiles/Townfolk/Merchant.cs
+++ b/Projects/UOContent/Mobiles/Townfolk/Merchant.cs
@@ -33,15 +33,6 @@ public partial class Merchant : BaseEscortable
 
     public override void InitOutfit()
     {
-        if (Female)
-        {
-            AddItem(new PlainDress());
-        }
-        else
-        {
-            AddItem(new Shirt(GetRandomHue()));
-        }
-
         var lowHue = GetRandomHue();
 
         AddItem(new ThighBoots());
diff --git a/Projects/UOContent/Mobiles/Vendors/NPC/IronWorker.cs b/Projects/UOContent/Mobiles/Vendors/NPC/IronWorker.cs
index e3ef3b2a5..a75e3efad 100644
--- a/Projects/UOContent/Mobiles/Vendors/NPC/IronWorker.cs
+++ b/Projects/UOContent/Mobiles/Vendors/NPC/IronWorker.cs
@@ -58,14 +58,6 @@ namespace Server.Mobiles
                 AddItem(new FullApron(Utility.RandomBrightHue()));
             }
 
-            AddItem(
-                Utility.Random(3) switch
-                {
-                    0 => new Bandana(Utility.RandomBrightHue()),
-                    _ => new JesterHat(Utility.RandomBrightHue()) // 1-2
-                }
-            );
-
             AddItem(new Bascinet());
             AddItem(new SmithHammer());
 
diff --git a/Projects/UOContent/Mobiles/Vendors/NPC/Miner.cs b/Projects/UOContent/Mobiles/Vendors/NPC/Miner.cs
index 3c8c33c77..9d8a439df 100644
--- a/Projects/UOContent/Mobiles/Vendors/NPC/Miner.cs
+++ b/Projects/UOContent/Mobiles/Vendors/NPC/Miner.cs
@@ -26,10 +26,10 @@ namespace Server.Mobiles
         {
             base.InitOutfit();
 
-            AddItem(new FancyShirt(0x3E4));
-            AddItem(new LongPants(0x192));
+            ReplaceEquipment(new FancyShirt(0x3E4));
+            ReplaceEquipment(new LongPants(0x192));
             AddItem(new Pickaxe());
-            AddItem(new ThighBoots(0x283));
+            ReplaceEquipment(new ThighBoots(0x283));
         }
     }
 }
diff --git a/Projects/UOContent/Mobiles/Vendors/NPC/Ranger.cs b/Projects/UOContent/Mobiles/Vendors/NPC/Ranger.cs
index 7a4f499ba..4e8a9d462 100644
--- a/Projects/UOContent/Mobiles/Vendors/NPC/Ranger.cs
+++ b/Projects/UOContent/Mobiles/Vendors/NPC/Ranger.cs
@@ -31,10 +31,10 @@ namespace Server.Mobiles
         {
             base.InitOutfit();
 
-            AddItem(new Shirt(Utility.RandomNeutralHue()));
-            AddItem(new LongPants(Utility.RandomNeutralHue()));
+            ReplaceEquipment(new Shirt(Utility.RandomNeutralHue()));
+            ReplaceEquipment(new LongPants(Utility.RandomNeutralHue()));
             AddItem(new Bow());
-            AddItem(new ThighBoots(Utility.RandomNeutralHue()));
+            ReplaceEquipment(new ThighBoots(Utility.RandomNeutralHue()));
         }
     }
 }
diff --git a/Projects/UOContent/Mobiles/Vendors/NPC/Thief.cs b/Projects/UOContent/Mobiles/Vendors/NPC/Thief.cs
index f9c802295..031bc4c97 100644
--- a/Projects/UOContent/Mobiles/Vendors/NPC/Thief.cs
+++ b/Projects/UOContent/Mobiles/Vendors/NPC/Thief.cs
@@ -31,10 +31,10 @@ namespace Server.Mobiles
         {
             base.InitOutfit();
 
-            AddItem(new Shirt(Utility.RandomNeutralHue()));
-            AddItem(new LongPants(Utility.RandomNeutralHue()));
+            ReplaceEquipment(new Shirt(Utility.RandomNeutralHue()));
+            ReplaceEquipment(new LongPants(Utility.RandomNeutralHue()));
             AddItem(new Dagger());
-            AddItem(new ThighBoots(Utility.RandomNeutralHue()));
+            ReplaceEquipment(new ThighBoots(Utility.RandomNeutralHue()));
         }
     }
 }