The most important thing we know about elvish armor is really only important because it’s so different from what we see in the Peter Jackson movies: the elves are never mentioned as having plate armor. In fact, it doesn’t seem likely that any of Middle Earth’s warriors wore plate armor (though this is debated a bit by fans that know way more about armor than I do.) Instead, the armor that Tolkien always mentions is armor made of chain mail. Occasionally some other “plate-ish” pieces are mentioned, such as vambraces (which cover the forearms) and helmets (which were definitely common, as Tolkien mentions helmets on many occasions.) But, in general, I think that the most “accurate” depiction of elvish armor would be based more on chain mail with little to no plate armor. Shields would also be used pretty commonly (and we know for sure that Gil-galad had a shield, so it stands to reason that other elves of the Second Age would as well.)
That being said, it’s said time and again that the elves were the best at making weapons and armor, and were leagues ahead of anything men could make. So, since any “real world” references are obviously man-made, it stands to reason that elvish armor would be… well, better. So a direct reproduction of “real world” armor wouldn’t be accurate, since it’s implied that the elves could do way better that that. Which gives you a fair bit of artistic license, I guess.
- - - Updated - - -
https://askmiddlearth.tumblr.com/pos...2/elvish-armor