Recently achieved 50 on crafting classes - how should I gear them up?

As I mentioned in the title, just recently got most of my crafters to 50, am currently in the progress of handing in the leve items needed to get to 50 on the remaining ones - with ilvl 40 on just about all the classes since the gear, bar main/off arm are the same.
So my issue is, what should I do about gear progression?
I've been told getting the artisan set is a waste of gil (which was a great relief), so where does that leave me?
My FC mates suggested I get to 53 just by doing my GC dailies and then get the 53 set, I'm not sure my gear is good enough to craft stuff if crafting level above 50. :/ There's also the issue of crafting the 53 set with my current crap gear (although I do suppose I can just buy the set, considering it's nowhere near as pricey as the artisan one... but it's still rather heartbreaking).
Am facing the same issue with my gatherers.
Would appreciate any tips you guys can give me :)

almost all the thing your FC mates say is true, as for me maybe because lvl 53 set using stupidly expensive holy rainbow cloth, just buy/craft the lvl 51 set, its far more cheap to craft (at least in my server), and get lvl 55 for next, because lvl 55 set is very cheap (ramie), with lvl 51 set you can make anything collectable up to lvl 55 anyway (if you have byregot blessing)

you can try to spiritbond the lvl 51 equip before you get to 55, and convert it to materia IV

If your current set is around i40, then the next set is actually a 2.0 set : Patrician's. You can substitute the Dodore bdoy piece for the Patrician's body piece if you wish, this used to be recommended due to the additional Materia Slot. Nowadays, you should not be looking at melding it and should instead be looking at using it as a stepping stone to the level 51, or level 55, set.

Of course, if you can create the level 51 set with your current gear, then there is little reason to waste time with the Patrician's set.

at lv50 you try to craft yourself the level 50 class specific set. It shouldn't be as expensive to make now n days. Other than that, than yep what your FC mates said. You can also buy the crafting set(s) in specific locations in the HW area

Jumping from i40 to level 53 Rainbow Set is probably too difficult... it's too big a gap...
Like Roth said, you definitely should get the Patrician's Set first (best to make it HQ yourself).
ExiaQuanta is also right that the lvl 50 class-specific set (i55 AF gear) is not that difficult to make these days. You will get 1 NQ i55 piece from doing your class quest, and you should at least acquire your first "blue" mainhand tools from lvl 50 class quests. As for your offhands, you should try to acquire HQ Militia Offhands (which you will stick to until lvl 53).

With either Patrician or i55 AF gear, grind your levels until 51. If you have the money, you should try to buy the shared i65 Archaeonskin Set... or at least 1 or 2 pieces of it. This set will let you bridge the gap between lvl 51 and 53.

The level 53 Rainbow Set is rather expensive to make, but you can acquire free NQ ones from doing your level 53 class quests. Just don't try to do lvl 53 class quests when you're sitting on i40 gear! I don't think that will work out for you. At level 52, you can acquire new mainhands, and at level 53, you can acquire new offhands.

For accessories and other details, please visit Chapter 33 of my crafting guide:
http://ffxivrealm.com/guides/ff14-advanced-crafting-guide-part-3-heavensward-by-caimie-tsukino.156/

Make the push to level 51 in your current gear and use the level 51 as Caimie suggests. This is the best way to go on gathering as well. Then push to level 55 and finally your 60 set.

Because you have all the classes at 50 you won't have trouble finding an Omni rotation to make most of the iLevel 55 class exclusive gear sets. Even right side, the rings and wrist slots can be iLevel 55. Necklace I use electrum choker and red coral ear rings and end up with a 53 ilevel. Reward main hand and this set is a good set to spirit bond making anything that is cheap. If you spirit bond all 8 sets you have 96 pieces of gear that will poop out crafting materia and you should have 8 classes close to level 53. This method is Shard and Crystal intensive so account for that but it will establish you for 55+ crafting.

Wow, I didn't expect so many people to be willing to help xd
Thanks a lot for everyone's thoughtful advice, you've been a great help :)

http://eu.finalfantasyxiv.com/lodest...acter/1537425/

To make this easier, this is what I see as the optimal gear for a 50 class on their way to 60.

At little late to this but I would also advise crafting the level 51, Archaeoskin set, stuff too. When it is HQ it is basically the same as wearing the Artisan set.
Getting from 50 to 51 is just a matter of 2 or 3 Grand Company turn-ins (assuming HQ), depending on the In Demand star item.