The Nightingale set (Armor, Hood, Gloves, and Boots) is leveled, and offers +25 to armor rating if worn together. Decide whether you need this power or want the benefits of increasing your Sneak.
Boots: Boots of the Old Gods (Improve Sneak 20%) Most other boots (the Shrouded Boots, for example) offer Muffle. The Nightweaver’s Band is the only Sneak-related ring outside of your own crafting. With dual-wielded daggers and the Assassin’s Blade Perk, you’re able to inflict 30x damage with a backstab! Nightingale Gloves (Improve Lockpick, One-Handed) also help, but without as potent a bonus. Hands (Gloves): Ancient Shrouded Gloves (Double One-Handed sneak attack damage) Hands (Ring): Nightweaver’s Band (Improve Destruction and Sneak 10%) The Shrouded Hand Wraps (also double One-Handed sneak attack damage) and Gloves (Backstab does double damage) are also possibilities: the gloves offer armor bonuses, while the wraps offer a variety of weapons to use. Nightingale Armor (+ Stamina, Resist Frost) is also a possible pick. Body: Cicero’s Clothes (Improve Prices and One-Handed 20%) This is a worry if you’re overwhelmed in combat and aren’t relying on Ebonyflesh or a similar spell so perhaps choose a Light Armor (Dragonscale, for example) if you’re worried about being easily slain. For amulets and the like, Ogmund’s Amulet of Talos (Time between Shouts reduced by 20%) is great if you use Aura Whisper to find foes to assassinate. The Ancient Shrouded Cowl (Improve Archery 35%) is excellent if you use bow and arrows. Headgear (Head): Cicero’s Hat (Improve Sneak 35%) Headgear (Neck): The Gauldur Amulet (+30 Health, +30 Magicka, +30 Stamina) The Nightingale Hood (Improve Illusion) is helpful if you’re using this school of magic with your sneaking. Miraak’s Boots (when worn with his Gloves and Robes) are the other possible option for a true non-armored magician.
Movarth’s Boots (Improve Sneak 15%) are another option if you’re prone to stealth and magic. Boots: Shrouded Boots (Muffle) Ancient Shrouded Boots and Jester’s Boots also offer this enchantment, but outside of crafting your own, more mage-centric footwear, this is about as good as you’ll get. As for Rings, there’s little else to place on your fingers that comes close to the Ring of the Erudite, but you’ll first need to become a Vampire Lord in order obtain it. When worn with his Boots and Robes, Magicka Absorption increases to 25%. Miraak’s Gloves (+5% Magicka Absorption) are another great choice, as there are few other items (outside of your own crafted items) that provide a bonus to Magicka Absorption. Hands (Gloves): Mythic Dawn Gloves Hands (Ring): Ring of the Erudite (+100 Magicka, Regenerate +2 Magicka/second) The Mythic Dawn Gloves offer nothing but finely-made stitching and design. For those more interested in armor, Vampire Royal Armor (+125% Magicka Regen) is one to consider. Miraak’s Robes (along with his Gloves and Boots, provides up to +25% Magicka Absorption) or Telvanni Robes (+75% Magicka Regen) are other interesting options. If you’re focusing on a single school of magic, pick the College of Winterhold Master Robes (+150% Magicka Regen). Body: Archmage’s Robes (All spells cost 15% less to cast) This mage focuses on multiple schools of magic rather than a specific one, so the Archmage’s Robes are a fine choice. For the neck, the Saarthal Amulet (Spells cost 3% less to cast) is another option. The Aetherial Crown (which retains your previous Standing Stone ability in addition to your currently selected Stone) is also a great pick use it with the Lady and Mage Stones, or another suitable combination of powers. Headgear (Neck): Savos Aren’s Amulet (+50 Magicka) Any of the Dragon Priest (or Dragon Acolyte) masks are good alternate options wear one that rewards your preferred school of magic. Headgear (Head): Morokei (+100% Magicka Regen)