Students applying for internships know how tough it can be to land one, but at least they can get one thing right when attending interviews: the look.

Employers such as Brooke Reitz, program prevention specialist for Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield in Pittsburgh, say the look is one part of interviews that shouldn't cause stress.

"Looks are the easy part," Reitz said. "Number one is to look as professional as possible. I expect to see a suit, and I expect people to be covered properly."

That means shirts should be cut higher to show no cleavage, Reitz said, adding that it's one of the first things she notices.

When it comes to dressing for the office, it is most important to be comfortable in what you are wearing because comfort exudes confidence, said Natalie Nixon, associate professor of fashion industry management at Philadelphia University.

"The shirt shouldn't be too tight and you should be able to sit down comfortably," Nixon said. "It's also important to wear comfortable shoes because when your feet hurt, it shows on your face and in the way you walk."

Reitz said the most important thing is to look well-kept and to look like there was an effort made, but "not like you're going to prom."

"Wearing way too much makeup and looking like you're going to a dance is overkill," she said.

For guys, Reitz said suits are the only answer.

"I'd expect to see a suit, and if not, a collared shirt -- a nice tailored suit that fits you well and isn't too big," she said. "I haven't seen too many guys dressed inappropriately for interviews."

For the ladies, outfits can get more complicated because they have more choices. In regard to shoes, Reitz said to keep them clean.

"Wear heels or nice shoes that don't look like they've been worn to class every day," she said. "And I usually see pants because a skirt would have to be at least at the knee, if they were to go that route."

Erin Teresky, a personal shopper at J. Crew, said it's best to invest in wardrobe foundations: suits and shoes. Students can look for cheaper button-downs, blouses and scarves.

Suits that are made with a four-season fabric, like merino, are best in neutral colors such as navy blue or black, Teresky said.

"Keep a classic look to your suit," Teresky said. "Stay away from suits with puffy sleeves, trendy embellishments or ruffles because it will only last for the one season."

The key to a good suit is the cut. Men have to make sure their sleeves and pant legs are the right length. While job seekers don't want to look boxy, the point of an interview is to get the job, not show off your individuality, Nixon said.

People should remove facial piercings and cover up tattoos, Nixon said.

That being said, the job searcher doesn't have to forgo all attempts at individuality. A basic suit can be complimented with an interesting piece of jewelry as long as it is not too distracting. For men, expressing individuality is a little harder, but it can be done with a printed tie or colored shirt, Nixon said.

Although gaining an internship is not highly based on looks, having the right one certainly helps.

"It's such an elementary thing to look appropriate, so if you can't even look good for an interview, I feel like you can't do anything," Reitz said. "But the most important thing is to have the skills to back that look up."

Rachel Lawrence (sophomore-public relations) said she has had a few internship interviews.

Lawrence said she recently interviewed with Girl's Life magazine in Baltimore.

"I sent them my résumé and they asked me to come in for an interview. I wasn't really nervous, but wanted to have the right look," she said.

Lawrence planned her outfit the night before, pairing black pumps and black pinstripe BCBG pants with a silky tank top and cropped jacket.

"I got the pants at Loehmann's for 40 bucks, and the jacket was from Nordstrom," she said.

The right look does not always have to be expensive, she said.

"You can find an inexpensive look that looks just as nice as anything else," she said.

Nixon agreed that college students don't have to break the bank to look appropriate for an interview.

Women don't have to spend a lot of money on blouses or tops, and men don't have to spend a lot of money on their ties, Nixon said -- but students should invest in a well-made suit because they will get a lot of use out of it.

"Banana Republic and J. Crew make good suits that are more affordable than something you would find at something like Neiman Marcus, but they still won't pill or lose their shape," Nixon said. "I can't say the same thing for something like Target or Wal-Mart."

Two other components are key to the right look for interviews: hair and makeup.

Lawrence said she made her hair "natural but well-kept" and kept makeup natural, too.

"Even though the atmosphere at the office was pretty casual, I feel like you should dress nice regardless," she said.

Lawrence said dressing properly for interviews was crucial in her experience and helped her land the internship at Girl's Life.

"I think it's so important," she said. "You need to look professional and that you care a lot about getting the internship."