For the MSF, they just want exposed skin covered, mostly for liability reasons. Speeds are pretty low, so a fall won’t USUALLY seriously hurt you (though it DOES happen…I’m sure Allen has some stories that will shock/dismay us).
But for the real world, you need real protection.
Fortunately, as Briderdt says, there’s no such thing as beginner gear…provided you keep certain things in mind, most name-brand, made-for-motorcycling gear is a good choice for ANY rider.
Some basic, overall hints (others have covered the details very well so far):
Helmets: Recommend full-face, and don’t buy anything that isn’t DOT rated at the least. Always buy new, never used.
Jackets: Look for jackets with internal amor, preferrably CE rated. Textile is good, leather is better.
Pants: A good solution for everyday riding is to buy overpants that you can wear over your regular pants.
Gloves: All leather is the best choice.
Boots: Look for boots that have internal protection for your ankle. Most motorcycle-specific boots will.