how do i change my outfit/even work this thing?

[Rolig Loon]

Welcome to Second Life. To begin, I suggest reading the Quick Start Guide and then the more comprehensive User's Guide.  Then, I strongly recommend spending some time at Caledon Oxbridge University or NCI, in world, where they have tons of excellent tutorials.  You'll also find helpful people there most of the time, ready to answer more specific questions.  You should also visit Linden Lab's Social Island for more of the same.  (Once you read the Quick Start Guide, you'll know how to find any of those places and teleport to them.)

Now...,. your avatar's initial appearance depends on which avatar you selected when you entered.  You can click on the Avatar button on your screen to select a different one if you like.  Those avatars are all starting points.  Unless you choose an avatar that says (mesh) in its name, you should be able to start customizing yours as much as you like.  Here's some information about how you do that >>> https://community.secondlife.com/t5/English-Knowledge-Base/Controlling-your-avatar-s-appearance/ta-p/700709 and some more detailed information >>> https://community.secondlife.com/t5/English-Knowledge-Base/Customizing-a-classic-style-avatar/ta-p/2940719 .  Yes, you can buy clothing at hundreds of shops in world or on Marketplace.  You can also find quite a lot for free, starting with outfits that are in your Library >>> Clothing folder in inventory.  There are many well-established freebie shops in world, many of which carry items that have been created especially for beginners by some of SL's leading designers. (There's also a lot of junk, just like in RL, but what the heck.... it's free.)  Use your Search tool to locate them (type "free clothes").

[Rolig Loon]

Welcome to Second Life. To begin, I suggest reading the Quick Start Guide and then the more comprehensive User's Guide.  Then, I strongly recommend spending some time at Caledon Oxbridge University or NCI, in world, where they have tons of excellent tutorials.  You'll also find helpful people there most of the time, ready to answer more specific questions.  You should also visit Linden Lab's Social Island for more of the same.  (Once you read the Quick Start Guide, you'll know how to find any of those places and teleport to them.)

Now...,. your avatar's initial appearance depends on which avatar you selected when you entered.  You can click on the Avatar button on your screen to select a different one if you like.  Those avatars are all starting points.  Unless you choose an avatar that says (mesh) in its name, you should be able to start customizing yours as much as you like.  Here's some information about how you do that >>> https://community.secondlife.com/t5/English-Knowledge-Base/Controlling-your-avatar-s-appearance/ta-p/700709 and some more detailed information >>> https://community.secondlife.com/t5/English-Knowledge-Base/Customizing-a-classic-style-avatar/ta-p/2940719 .  Yes, you can buy clothing at hundreds of shops in world or on Marketplace.  You can also find quite a lot for free, starting with outfits that are in your Library >>> Clothing folder in inventory.  There are many well-established freebie shops in world, many of which carry items that have been created especially for beginners by some of SL's leading designers. (There's also a lot of junk, just like in RL, but what the heck.... it's free.)  Use your Search tool to locate them (type "free clothes").

[Madelaine McMasters]

Welcome to Second Life, Wonderland!

SL has a pretty steep learning curve, so be patient. Here's some help...

http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/User's_Manual

https://community.secondlife.com/t5/English-Knowledge-Base/Second-Life-Quickstart/ta-p/1087919

https://community.secondlife.com/t5/English-Knowledge-Base/Controlling-your-avatar-s-appearance/ta-p/700709

https://community.secondlife.com/t5/English-Knowledge-Base/Opening-boxes/ta-p/700185

You don't need to purchase anything to enjoy SL. There are some starter avatars and outfits in the library folder located in your inventory window. You can pick and chose amongst the items there. You can also obtain freebie skins, shapes, clothing and objects either in-world or in the marketplace...

https://marketplace.secondlife.com/?

And if you choose to spend money, you can rent land or a home, purchase clothing for your avatar and furnishings for your home, vehicles, just about anything.

If you persevere, I'm sure you'll have more questions.

;-).

 

[Alwin Alcott]

yes and no

there is a lot good stuff around for free, just don't step in the mistake to get things at freebie themed stores, it's hugely outdated old fanshined and you will never get out of the stage of noob with it. Many stores offer free items in their groups, this is mostly good quality. Go for that. do hunts, in a few days you will have already some real nice things to wear and use without spending money.

Of course.... buying real cool and good things goes faster, but in that case it already says it... buying, so you need inworld money.

 

be aware you might wear a starter body inworld sold clothes will not work with it, or in a very disapointing way. Change to a "old" standard avatar, that will be compatible with almost all inworld clothes.

In time, or when you want to spend money, buy a new mesh body, but in that case your wardrobe again needs replacement... some will only work with specific designed clothes