Only thing I'll add here is buy the best shorts you can possibly afford and buy two - one to wash and one to wear. But, if that's too much, buy one pair and wash them daily - better to do that than suffer with cheap shorts. Turn them inside out in the store and look at how the chamois is constructed, and especially note where the seams are. When you try them on, walk around, crouch down into a riding position, and really move in them. (Don't worry, the people in the bike shop will not notice or care - in fact, they should encourage you to do so.) My favorites are the PI 3-d's, and at $120 a pair they are not cheap. But - no pun intended! - except for the first two days riding, I have had absolutely zero soreness.

I recently bought the top of the line Specialized, and don't like them too much as the chamois feels too wide. But everybody is built differently, so try on a bunch and get what works for you. Moral of the story is don't skimp on the shorts - if your bottom gets sore, you're not going to want to ride, so start off right.

Okay, end of sermon!

Oh - I actually wear thin runner's socks with a quarter top, they come in 2-pair packs and they end up a little less than $5 / pair.

Good luck and enjoy!!!