I have Sven as my follower at the moment, and I've given him some Elven Armour (Light) and an Ancient Nord Battleaxe (2h), but I've not idea if these items work for him or not.

Do the followers have stats and skills already? I read on the wiki that Lydia is a good theif, and I know Sven is a bard. If he's a bard, then Bow and Dagger surely?

Or do followers work like the player and what items you give them shapes their skills?