OP also said that our "armor" could include "anything that makes us feel safe" and/or a "security object" that we carry everywhere. So I was reading "fashion, makeup, hairstyles, accessories" in that context.
For example, when I was an executive in a big bureaucracy, my power suits and shiny shoes and other "official" accessories and trappings were an armor of sorts. On my own turf, no one messed with me. Even outside the office and around the city in general, people recognized the power suit and the "official business" look and showed it some respect. By comparison, I dressed more casually on weekends and outside work, and I felt more vulnerable then. When I looked like just one more ordinary old tourist in the city, anyone could get in my face.
As I figured it, I wasn't trying to be a snob or anything by wearing the power suit. It's just that life is easier in a power suit, so why not. "The clothes make the man," and all that.
So, getting back to what I quoted at the top of the post, I figure some women might get a similar feeling from being fully made-up and accessorized: They may feel more ready to get out and face the world. (At least that might have been the case in the old days, though maybe not so much anymore with the new emphasis on egalitarianism and casual appearance.)
Anyways, I'm an old, single retiree these days. No more power suits. As an old retiree, my armor these days is good boundaries. Now that I'm retired, I don't have to run around and jump through hoops to earn anyone's approval. So I only frequent people and places that are legitimately fun. Or at a minimum, courteous. If people aren't fun or at least courteous, I blow them off and go elsewhere. No use hanging around with people I don't like. Thanks to the interwebz, there are a million things to do--meetup groups, social centers, hobby groups, book clubs, activity centers, etc. I check out lots of different social events, and I stick with the few where the events are fun and the people seem cool. I try not to be paranoid--I give most events a few chances. But if the event is consistently dull or the people are a drag after a few try-outs, then I'm out of there. Life is short, and I'm not going to invest if the return is bad.