[jyl]

Men's Wearhouse or Joseph A. Banks. Only buy from the latter on sale events, once a quarter. Buy their best line, "Signature" or the like. Avoid dept stores, they are gradually easing out of the suit business and selection will be limited and pricing tricky unless you know the sale cadence. MW and JOSB often have 2 for 1 sales that are worth doing, since it is nice to not keep showing up in the same suit, plus if you spill something on one, the other is a backup.

Suit a two button type - three buttons are for hipsters, and going out anyway - remember, you want a type of suit your interviewer is comfortable with. 100% wool, weight appropriate for your climate, dark color - charcoal or navy. Subtle pinstripe, plain, or windowpane patterns. Tell salesman you are looking for an interview suit. Cuffed or uncuffed pants are both fine, length enough for a break over the shoe but about 3" clearance to ground.

Avoid shirts with French cuffs unless you like jewelry, they are a pain and don't look more professional - it is a dressy, dandy look that is fine for going out but not the norm in office environments (and it is harder to roll up your sleeves). Avoid French collars (white collar on colored shirt) for similar reasons. Shirt can be 100% cotton or a "wrinkle-resistant" blend, either button-down or plain collar, all white is most versatile though admittedly boring, at most one breast pocket, no logos. Get 3, have them laundered before wearing, w/ medium starch, stash in closet or folded in drawer. Make sure your watch will fit inside the buttoned cuff. Don't get collar clips or similar gee-gaws.

Black belt and shoes are most versatile, avoids the "brown shoes with blue suit" problem. Shoes with proper leather soles, no weirdo Hush Puppy rubber stuff. Wingtips, standard laceups, or slip-ons are all fine.

Tie should be conservative, not too thin or too wide. Learn to tie a proper, tight knot. Need 2-3 at least.

No need to spend for Brooks Bros etc - no particular benefit in wearing a much nicer suit that your interviewer is wearing.

If you live in a cold/wet climate, get a long coat and umbrella, don't want to wear a ski jacket over a suit. Doesn't have to be an expensive trenchcoat coat. A simple light raincoat is fine. No belt on the coat, looks stupid and no-one ever uses them.

When I was a lawyer, I wore suits every minute of every working day. Got pretty into them, eventually all my suits were custom-made. Then I got tired of it and now see them as functional wear. My typical: charcoal or dark blue or dark olive pinstripe or window pane pattern, two button, suspender buttons sewn in, cuffs, white button-down shirt in all cotton w/ heavy starch, interesting but subtle tie, cordovan shoes and belt if not wearing suspenders.

You might be able to do it all (suit, shirt, shoes, belt) for $500-600 if you catch the right sale.

All of this stuff is dry clean only. The suit needn't be laundered much, often can simply be pressed, and if you hang it up that won't often be necessary - when the pants are getting rumpled and the leg crease isn't crisp, its time. Shirts are pretty much one wear then launder, so it is an expense. If you're handy with an iron and not a smelly guy, you can get two wears out of a laundered and starched shirt, but don't admit to it, its kind of gross - I only do it if I'm traveling and running out of fresh shirts.