Need an interview suit? Gentlemen's Consignment specializes in classy, yet affordable menswear

According to a recent story in the International Herald Tribune, the interview suit is back in a big way for men. The IHT reports that as the workplace environment has become more serious, men are eschewing "business casual," opting for suits in the office, and job seekers are dressing more sharply for interviews.

Robert Chavez, Hermes president and CEO, was quoted as saying, "even in a tough economy, men are much more aware of how they are dressing."

Given Seattle's notorious yen for dressing down, and the unlikely prospect of the latest European men's fashion magazine resting on your coffee table, what's a man about this town to do?

Head straight to Gentlemen's Consignment in Seattle's posh Madison Park district, where owner Sally Dietrich has been dishing out savvy advice and classy, yet absolutely affordable menswear since 1989.

In fact, Dietrich says, there are no other consignment stores specifically for men in Seattle, and certainly none which specialize in high-quality, current clothing (her stock is two years old or less), with a selection she calls the fundamentals for any man.

"My customers are both established, professional men and those just starting out, who really need all the essentials of a man's wardrobe, and they shop here because it's fun, uncomplicated, and not just about the money they save."

Even if you're not up on the latest trends, Dietrich keeps abreast of it all, from Paris and Milan men's magazines to the New York Times' Style section. A trim, stylish woman in her late 50s, she possesses a wry, affectionate manner and sharp eye for what men want to wear and what looks good. She's not afraid to tell you what she thinks, nor to leave you alone to wander the racks in peace.

She's also created an ambiance which exudes a good-natured sophistication and is a comfortable place to shop, which might be due in part to Jake, Dietrich's adorable black standard poodle, who keeps company with the store's one couch. (It is, however, a one- dog shop, so keep yours at home.)

During my visit to the store, longtime customer Juan Hemme, an art teacher at Seattle's Bush School, walked in to browse an excellent selection of leather jackets.

Within 10 minutes, he purchased a practically brand new, coffee brown Nautica jacket. "I've bought everything here; I love the quality of the clothing and the prices," he said. "Why pay $300 when you can pay $56," which is what his latest acquisition cost.

Moving throughout this well-appointed store is like a trip through designer nirvana at a fraction of the cost: Brooks Brothers and Burberry ties for $30; a Hugo Boss, gray pinstripe, 125-thread-count Italian wool suit at $125 which originally retailed for $2,000; Prada and Savile Row shirts for under $100; and sweaters, neatly stacked in vintage wooden wardrobes, priced between $30 and $50.

Every well-dressed man needs a good-looking overcoat, such as a Ralph Lauren, navy blue, 100 percent cashmere wool number at $70 and a closely woven, taupe-hued wool raincoat from Barney's for $60. But perhaps the piece de resistance was a paper-thin, slate-colored Prada leather jacket, priced to sell for under $300.

If you still wear watches, one of the antique glass cases yielded a Sport TAG Heuer model: current retail $1000, priced here at $300.

"For men who enjoy clothes, next to the price point, there's a great variety, with clothes from everywhere," says Dietrich. She tends to lean toward European-made clothing and footwear -- such as a pair of pristine Michael Toschi sleek, glossy Italian-made black loafers -- as well as items from top Seattle retailers like Mario's, Barney's, Brooks Brothers and Nordstrom.

Upcoming sale event: Dietrich hosts just two sales a year, with her mid-January sale taking place January 24, 2009, and another planned for mid-July. On sale days, "everything ... is half off, and the store takes on a party-like atmosphere," says Dietrich.

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