Depends basically on the weapons...
If you're going to play a lot, I suggest you to buy axes and daggers, those will get you from feeder to headhunter (ofc you have to buy caster set for warlock)
Else just buy swords, those will get you from feeder to monk. Buy staves for monk if you reach him. Staves are fairly cheap and do the work.
Once you have the weapons, check the weapon ratio table:
http://ladderslasher.d2jsp.org/index.php?g=3On armors, you can gor for enhanced effect ones or stats ones...depends also on your preferences. If you choose stats, make sure you're following (more or less...) the ratios. On the other hand, you only want stats on your charms.
Hope this helps you, good luck slashing!