Dressing for success

"Dress for the job you want" is something I've always been told. I found a (male) friend that my wife told me is fashionable and asked him to be my style mentor. I'm still working on it.

A good article I once read suggested buying 1/3 as many items as you thought you should and spending 3 times as much as you thought you would per item. I.E. spend the same amount on 1/3 the number of goods for higher quality... but I cant find it again.

Here's one that recommends spending more on quality and why (although this level may be a bit excessive).
http://www.quicksprout.com/2014/12/10/how-spending-162301-42-on-clothes-made-me-692500/
And one that gives more specific recommendations:
http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-buy-cheap-mens-clothing-2014-10#suits-under-650-1

CPT Adelman,

Great question to propose for individuals transitioning from Military Service. I believe that a few responses hinted at the dress code being in line with the company you applied to. However, I find that the time tested behavior of dressing for success by presenting yourself in most professional way is optimal. Some recruiters will be kind and recommend what you wear, others will not. This is where your gut feeling and "common sense" kick in. Put yourself in the interviewers shoes for a moment - How would you like to be interviewing people for a high profile job and see them come to the interview dressed casually? in Suits/Dress clothes? What would your initial impression of those people be?

No need to spend a ton of money on a new wardrobe - just be budget wise, shop around and use taste. Honestly, a very nice dress shirt, tie, slacks and dress shoes will take you FAR!

Good luck!

Conventional wisdom has it that a dark suit with a conservative tie and matching footwear is always a safe bet. However, it's not necessarily a catch-all. Different business and even regions have different standards for acceptable dress. In Hawaii, for example, no one wears suits. A good pair of slacks and a sharp aloha shirt are standard fare. In the Silicon Valley (notorious for it's comparatively relaxed atmosphere), a well laid out business casual look may get the trick done. When in doubt, the best piece of advice I could offer is to give the local HR office a call an ask them what the business culture you're applying for considers appropriate. Play to the crowd!