What's the gold amount for a 8th level character... 20 - 30K?
Go with the basics:
+1 Full Plate Mail, Light Fortification (5,650gp)
+1 Lg. Steel Shield, Death Ward (4,120gp) [I think that D.W. is a +1 enc.]
Ring of Mystic Healing ( ~3,000gp) [cast a CLW and spend 4 charged to add 4d6 to the spell cast...]
Ring of Protection +1 (2,000gp)
Vest of Resistance +2 (4,000gp)
Cloak of Charisma +2 (4,000gp)
Longsword +1, Flaming (8,320gp)
It doesn't get much more basic than that.
If you're gold piece output is higher in your campaign, I'd upgrade the Full Plate to mithril, or the longsword to adamantine. If it's lower, drop the flaming enhancement, and the death ward off of the shield.