Suit recommendations?

So I recently graduated from grad school in the sciences and am looking
to purchase my first suit. Hopefully, I've come to the right place to
glean some information.
I'm guessing that visiting outlet stores, while saving me money, will
not be of much help since I'm going to need some personal attention in
selecting a suit. I'm not certain what brands or details I should be
looking for in a suit. I've read some wonderful things about Armani
suits but some people say that money would be better spent toward a
custom tailored suit. Also, I can't see spending over $1K on something
that I probably will not wear past the interview.
What would you folks recommend in terms of suit types (material,
details, etc.), brands and stores? I'm in the San Francisco bay area
and would appreciate suggestions for good stores in this area (I've
heard of Wilkes Bashford, and Nordstrom). In terms of budget, I'm not
sure how much a decent suit costs but let's start at $500 for a soft
budget. I am willing to spend more if it's practical and necessary.
Thanks all for your suggestions!