When a Giant isn't holding any item, its armor renders normally, however if it is holding an item it renders darker.
Note: The commands are for 15w31a+
Giant with no item
/summon Giant ~ ~ ~ {ArmorItems:[{},{},{},{id:diamond_helmet}]}
Giant with item
/summon Giant ~ ~ ~ {ArmorItems:[{},{},{},{id:diamond_helmet}],HandItems:[{id:stick}]}
Related issues
Comments

giants are unsupported mobs
MC-48071