I would suggest Banana Republic for your basics like wool sweaters and slacks (the retail stores only - the outlet stuff is crap.) Just watch for their sales - markdowns on top of markdowns which happen all of the time.
Club Monaco has good fabrics, though their clothing is catered to urban, hipster types and not necessarily professionals. However, they do have nice coats once in a while.
You can get away with skimping on sweaters and pants, but you really have to spend money on shoes. I used to buy Aldo shoes in my early 20s, but their workmanship and leathers have really gone downhill since the late 90s. For shoes that won't break the bank, I would suggest Cole Haan. They're tough to find locally, so head down to the States. You can easily find a pair of classic penny loafers or Oxfords for $200 which will last and can easily be re-soled. Moreover, they're owned by Nike and many shoes feature Nike Air technology for extra comfort.
And remember - women always judge a man by his shoes.
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