job interview attire on the west coast/Pac NW; oxfords question

My first post here - glad I found the forum. I have been gearing up to relocate to Seattle from the DC area. Some people tell me you can't go wrong wearing a suit anywhere (that's how I was taught as well). Other people (one who lived in Seattle) told me it's not like the east coast and you could look weird/unresearched showing up to an interview in the standard grey/navy 'interview uniform'. So I'm trying to figure out what items I'm missing. Most notably, dress shoes.

Types of jobs I'll likely be interviewing in: project manager/product manager positions at techy places, biotech, possibly some writing/editorial-related. Perhaps consulting.

It would be a shame to fly out to Seattle only to have it be like my first job interview, in which I was asked if I was wearing a suit to prove something. (still got the job - maybe that's the lesson).

Believe it or not, I have never owned a pair of Oxfords/lace up shoes (yet somehow people still hired me). I want to change that. Allen Edmonds Park Avenues cost nearly as much as the one grey suit I own. Are there other brands that meet the interview standard of quality?

These are the only shoes I have currently: http://ift.tt/1XDUd0V

Thanks for your time.

job interview attire on the west coast/Pac NW; oxfords question