For years I used Silo to create clothing and even dabble in figure creation. It's a good, relatively cheap (about $100.00) program with a full round of features (modeling UVmapping and basic sculpting tools, the interface is simple. Unfortunately it doesn't have the best support. Blender is free and while I have never used it, it does have an impressive tool set AND a very active supporting commiunity.

The tools for "getting" the models you make into DS or Poser aren;t hard to learn... MUCH easier that when I started, LOL!

I suggest you start off slow, look at the tutorials for your chosen programs there are plenty of them out there.

I've been working in DS for the first time in a few years, lately having focused on Poser for a LONG time. In some ways I've found it;s easier to use that Poser and certainly cheaper. In others I like Poser, particularly with dynamic clothing, Poser has the capability to create dynamic clothing as part of it;s basic tool set, even it it's not the easiest system to master. DS can USE dynamic clothing but not create it (at least not yet) but it has a better (easier) system for having comforming clothing "follow" the figure and it;s morphs, very handy and may be even better that Poser dynamics, I'm still learning it so the jury is still out for me.

Good Luck and remember donlt get frustrated, everything has a learning curve and 3D is one of the highest, but there are a LOT of good people,here and on other sites that are willing to answer your questions and help with the rough spots.