What are to you advised for what levels. Such as steel for level 3-10 or whatnot? Or do you think it's okay to have any armor for any level (like using the console on pc to get armor quicker).

Any kind of armour can be made viable at any level, with the right Smithing skill.

It might not be quite as good as Daedric or Dragonbone, but there's nothing stopping you from wearing Legendary Iron armour.

If you want to use the console to get Daedric from the start, there's nothing stopping you, or any downfalls. Really you can use any armour at any level if you play the game on Adept or lower difficulty setting. Pretty much if you want strength over looks just use the best armour you can find, whenever you find it. Or spawn it in.

Yeah, I was mostly worried about being overpowered but I really like the look of Dragonplate and wanted it as quickly has possible without making the game super easy. I'm level 12 so I guess it's not too much of ahead start? Like you both said you can make it with smithing at any level.

Just amp up the difficulty to Master and drop all your potions

None of my warriors have worn anything better than Hide Armor. My thief/assassin wore Nightingale. My mage didn't wear armor or robes at all, just street clothes. Wear whatever suit your roleplaying.

A rule of thumb I found useful was to keep armor rating around 10 times your level. So at level 30 you should have 300 Armor Rating. If Armor Rating is too high, you may find the game too easy and get bored.

I would also say that 300 Armor Rating is good enough on Adept (default difficulty setting). That will give you 48% damage reduction.

Maximum you can get is 80% damage reduction, which happens when your Armor Rating is at 567

Remember that armor does not give you any protection against magic, you have to work on magic resistance separately.