OK, hivemind: it's been a long time since I was a SL newbie, but tomorrow night I'm going to help an old friend get started. I can handle education about how the avatar body works, but would love suggestions of body, shape, skin, hair, or clothing stores you like (male, I believe). I have no idea if he'll have an L$ to spend.

this is plurk 1 of 2 and I'm commenting so it will increase the chances of showing up for people.

Tiny! There are some free avatars around, and 'Ti Clover Dezno, of Totally Tiny, has some free outfits for new tinies.

(Sorry. I love being a tiny!)

If he wants to go mesh, Bellezza is a name I hear a lot around here for skins, at least; and SLink does a popular body, I think.

The men's events in SL might be a good place to scope out possible stores to explore further.

Oh, and Mister Walton from Contraption is here, he's been doing some nice clothes lately!

There we go, an expert!

Otenth : Kara Timtam was a huge help to me, but not sure how much time she spends inworld. Melanippe was also a lot of help, I know she still does stuff I world.

I go in periodically, but not regularly and might not be very helpful. Things are very different now.

thanks everyone!

For bodies, I have to recommend Slink, as it's still the largest selection of clothing choices, and in addition, is the only body I found that isn't in some way built on Incredible Hulk-like proportions which can't be altered.

Clothes: 69 Park Ave, A&D, Cold ash, Deadwool, Gabriel, GAS, Hoorenbeek, Horr Menswear, Kahli Designs, LaPointe & Bastchild, Simple Threads, Zaara has a few nice men's items as well

For hair: Exile, NoMatch, Vango, Wasabi