Those outlets are expen$ive. Not worth it.

If you're getting a suit for job interviews, don't count on finding something from the thrift stores- people are re-discovering them and it's a crap shoot as to whether you'll luck out and find something that looks professional.

Ah Pook had great advice- for the price of a suit, you could purchase a couple of jackets, some slacks, a few nice ties and a button-down shirt or two. Unless it's an interview that basically requires a suit (a governmental job, Lockheed-Martin, Pinkerton's, etc.) I'd suggest going the jacket-and-slacks route.

If I remember correctly, you're just getting out of the military? Here's some unsolicited advice!

- A blue or navy jacket in a classic cut will last you a long time and will serve you well. Make sure you purchase one that does not wrinkle at the drop of a hat, is cut in a trendy style, or made from a limiting fabric such as linen.
You can dress it up or down by wearing it with grey slacks, navy or black dockers, or blue or black jeans, depending on the dress code at your new job. You can also seriously dress it up by wearing a pocket square as well as a tie- provided the two do not match. Pocket square occasions: weddings, promotional/retirement ceremonies, bar mitzvahs, christenings, or other important celebrations.

-You can't go wrong with grey trousers. You CAN go wrong with the cut- I've noticed there are a couple of different styles that can be misfortunate choices. Do NOT purchase trousers that have cuffs on the bottom. If they have slash pockets, make sure they don't gape. If they have pleats on the front, make sure they don't number more than four. Going with a classic flat-front trouser in a grey shade will provide you with an excellent start, should your new job require full-on business attire. Don't get grey trousers with any sort of pattern to them; go with plain grey. Patterns are snazzy, but limit your options.

Along with grey trousers, make sure you have socks in the following colors: navy, black, grey, and brown. With grey trousers, you can wear black, grey, or brown shoes. Do not wear boots- you won't need to run somewhere for an interview.

Button-down shirts are everywhere, but they are not all created equal. Extremely thin material means that the shirts are cheaply made and they LOOK cheap. Look at the tag- many decent quality shirts are now wrinkle-resistant and are a little thicker. There are many different cuts as well, so be sure to try them on and see how they fit. There is a cut called "slim" or "modern" fit that works well on men that are slender, but if you are thicker through the trunk, you're not going to be able to raise your arms without untucking your shirt. A plain white shirt is advisable, and you'll want to think about getting a backup shirt (I'd suggest a light background with some sort of pinstriping) in case you have a coffee accident on the day of your interview.

Belt- Get a leather belt. The rules for men still demand that your belt match your shoes (unless they are grey- or white, Never wear white shoes and a matching belt, unless you are in Florida.) If you can find a reversible belt (black leather on one side, brown leather on the other), grab it! A square or rectangular buckle is preferable, but not mandatory.

Ties- Grab a few different colors: blue, green, red. Go for the more subdued patterns- my husband says you can break out the cooler patterns after you're hired. If you go with ties that have no pattern, but are instead a solid color, a tie tack or a small American Flag pin would not be out of place.

Kohl's has good selections, as do the department stores. K & G is a good one, and Men's Wearhouse has good selections. One thing I've noticed: the markup on button-down shirts at department stores and the "men's suits" stores is absolutely terrible. A button-down shirt should not cost $50 on up! Hit Kohls for your shirts, socks, and ties.

It's all unsolicited advice- take it or leave it. YMMV.