One thing I have not tried is a sword and board fighter who uses light armor. Has anyone else tried this? I have a feeling it would be pretty hard at the start. I would actually want to stick with the simple rustic armors like fur, hide, leather, etc. until glass or stahlrim becomes available. Also, no perks outside of the warrior tree.

Is this suicide or should I do it?

Demeter wears light armour and survives. I say 'survives' because it can be challenging at times, but I find that fun. It certainly isn't suicide to wear light armour, and it can reach the armour cap just the same as heavy armour.

My Imperial is sword and board. He is a spellsword / crusader style warrior mage and wear Dragonscale (like the Imperial Dragonscale from Morrowind) with a mages hood.

I choose light armor as it takes less stamina considering he is also a mage. but this doesn't matter as he has magicka to caste alteration or restoration to increase defence.

It seems to work for town guards in every one of the nine Holds... so go for it!

I did one once,it's not suicide at all.

It can be a little difficult at the beginning but as it starts to improve it's just as affective as heavy armor.

Remember to block and use your speed to your advantage.

Taking all the shieldwall perks will really make you a tank,even in lightarmor.

I play like this, although I also make use of Sneak + Archery.

You may want to use a heavy armour shield, because they are more effective in blocking (amount of damage blocked depends only the base armour rating of the shield (+ Block perks and skill)). I think that no Light Armour shield is much more effective than blocking with a weapon (at high Block levels). Of course, you get extra benefits by using a shield---higher armour rating, Deflect Arrows, Elemental Resistance. But if you are going to use a shield, then you probably don't want to use anything less than an Orcish shield.

Otherwise, as others have said, while it may be a bit more difficult in the early game, by the end game you'll find that this playstyle is quite resilient.

Sounds like a very viable build. My Dunmer battlemage favored light armor, and she did a lot of close-in fighting. And she used sword n' spell, less protective than sword n' board.

at the beginning its hard. Although before too long you'll be able to absorb most damage with your shield. Also with smithing light armors can hit the cap just like heavy armors

It is not hard at all. Using shield is one of the most powerful ways to play the game and when you have light armor it is much easier than with heavy armor which slows you down and makes it hard to rush in battles and dodge arrows, spells and hits. I play mainly with warrior characters and I rarely use heavy armor because it makes you too slow on battlefield.

My first and main character uses light armor with sword and shield. It works great being able to move swiftly and still have a shield raised with block runner perk.

This.

You want more of a challenge, try using effectively no armor and only blocking with your weapon. Of course, even then, once you have about 4/5 in Shield wall (and the Lord Stone), you negate a good bit a damage anyway.

I have used this combo as a Light Armor wearer before, and I liked it so try it out!

It may be tough at first but you will get the hang of the challenges it brings but the perks are worth it in a way IMO.

That's what my current character is, sword and board, light armor with stealth and archery tied in. Works quite well. I found it quite easy, but then I play on novice.

I don't understand everyone saying it's hard? Whats the easier alternative you all seem to have in mind?
Just sword and board with heavy armour? I hate heavy armour and never use it, but I'm like above guy I never play it hard.

Yes, it's easier with heavy armour. In the other direction, it's also easier to go for dual wielding with light armour.

Block itself is insanely strong, the Armor itself is comparatively negligible if you plan to do a shield based block build.

Yes, block is very strong (capping at 85% damage reduction, and with some great perks), but it is active damage reduction. Having a high passive damage reduction is a great backup, especially when dealing with multiple enemies. Of course, maybe it makes for more exhilarating melee combat if you rely on your shield and don't use armour.