Yet you are perfectly willing to spend thousands of dollars on computer equipment because its a "tool of the trade."
Guess what, my friend. Suits are the tools of the trade in a lot of professions.
No one is postulating that those who wear suits are better than anyone else. And to say that people wear nice suits because they are concerned with "material things" smacks of a perverse type of prideful thought on your part. "Oh, look at me, I am so better than them, because I can't wear nice suits. Actually, I just pity those poor misguided souls who will sure burn in hell while I am exalted for my humility." Bravo, my friend. Good luck with that one.
Certain jobs require certain dress. If you haven't figured that out by the interview stage, then the job is wrong for you.