Is it possible to buy a respectable suit for less than $500?

Depends how you define respectable. Probably not at regular price.

You can get suits from places like Knot Standard during sales for that.

Brooks brothers clearance section online.

If you need alterations beyond finishing pants, take into the store and you'll get a great suit.

As another poster said, by your winter suit in spring and your summer suit in the fall from BB clearance and let them alter to your fit.

Zara annual sale is where it’s at

I got a Brooks Bros 346 suit for like 200 bucks on black Friday last year. It's not the best suit in the world, but it is "respectable". Especially at that price.

Banana Republic Factory has suits on sale for $140 right now. Not bad for a value level suit

Depending on the people you work and socialize with probably 95% can't tell the difference between a $300 suit and a $2,000 suit.

If you are an investment banker in NYC disregard my comment.

Absolutely. Go to Dillard's whenever they have a huge sale. You can grab a sportscoat that's normally $500+ for around $180. Dress pants will run you around $100.

Dillards has blow out sales every now and then and they have nice suits over there. Probably having one right now.