In terms of looks, I think the ebony is the best looking armor. Of course, I don't use heavy armor, so I hover between elven and glass. I like the glass cuirass better than the elven, but the elven boots and gauntlets are better looking and a little lighter. I do not like the elven helmets at all, and the glass makes me look like a sea monster, so I usually end up with either leather or a faction helmet, like Whiterun guards or something. I just don't bother to perk the bonus for matching armor.
In this build, just to save myself a smithing perk, I use all elven except a stormcloak helmet. The cuirass is gilded and the rest is just regular elven. What's up with elven light armor?