Black, I don't mind having the new stormcloaks turn out being former bandits. There will of course be some that have actual good armour, but most, like you've said, basically went to ground and became bandits and mercs.
Storm, the officers wear a mixture of black and red cloth tunics, with leather and chainmail mixture for armour. Some wear heavier, but the majority of low ranking officers= chainmail and leather.
I likely won't be able to post again until later today. Haircut, then work.