Accessories are an essential part of every fashionista's wardrobe. Shoes, purses, scarves and earrings are easy to mix and match with any outfit, and they always fit, even on fat days. So, what better way to keep your look up-to-date than with new accessories?

Now, I know what you're thinking: "The economy is a complete mess right now, why on earth would I want to spend money on a scarf or earrings when they're non-essential?" To a certain extent, this is true - jewelry and other accessories cannot be the backbone of your wardrobe. However, having a variety of interesting accessories can allow you to make a week's worth of outfits out of just a couple of basic wardrobe pieces - and that is priceless!

Scarves are my favorite accessory, for their versatility and ability to completely transform an outfit. Long thin scarves can be worn at your neck, as a headband or even as a belt. If you choose a wide scarf to dress up the lapels of your favorite blazer, it can be repurposed as a wrap on cool evenings, a throat protector in winter weather, a sarong or even a sexy top, depending on how you wrap it. Having scarves in several colors in your wardrobe will allow you to wear the same suit or blazer several times a week without ever looking like you're showing up to work in the same outfit.

Shoes are an equally fabulous way to change up your look. A plain pair of black trousers will look like a completely different pair of pants when worn with ballet flats as opposed to stiletto heels (or leather ankle boots, or Mary Janes - you get the idea). While shoes are a little more costly than some other accessories, they are an essential item, and will last a long time if cared for properly.

Jewelry, bags and hair accessories are also good ways to change up your look and best of all, they're one-size-fits-all -- that means that instead of shopping, you can swap with your friends. Best of all, borrowing and lending is not only economical, it's fun too!

Nothing is more annoying than commuting in the rain or snow. Trying to balance your cellphone, handbag and morning coffee is bad enough - add an umbrella into the mix and it's absolute torture. Spending a whole work day in soaking wet clothes or shoes is never fun, and it's also really terrible for your wardrobe. A thorough soaking can ruin delicate shoes, stain pant cuffs and shrink wool sweaters. Even if your shoes aren't destroyed by the rain or snow, you definitely run the risk of creating a smelly situation that renders good shoes unwearable.

The solution? Well, everyone knows not to wear nice shoes in wet weather - so the conventional wisdom is to carry your nice shoes for work and wear an ugly old pair instead. However, no fashionista wants to spend half her day in hideous footwear. So, smart designers have found an alternative solution to the problem that is not only practical but totally fashionable as well: funky, fabulous rubber rain boots.

These protective boots can be found in a variety of price ranges but tend to be quite inexpensive - I picked up a pair recently for under $20. They are available in literally hundreds of colors, patterns and styles, so you can express yourself to your heart's content without breaking the bank. Most styles are wide enough at the top to allow you to stuff your pant legs inside the boot, giving extra protection against salty or muddy sidewalks (this is also a boon for gals with wider-than-average calves).

Invest in a pair of rain boots and umbrella that match both your winter coats and spring/fall jackets, and you're fashionably set for any type of weather. Rain boots are also a great item to borrow and lend if you want to change up your look for a day. Because these boots are somewhat oversized anyway, exact fit isn't really that important, so you can swap with your girlfriends even if they're a half size smaller or larger than you.

Okay, this tip may seem obvious. Sales are a girl's best friend even when we're not in a recession, so of course we are going to love them even more when money is tight. However, there are sales and there are sales, and in tough times, we need to choose our sales wisely! Here are some things to keep in mind.

Know the "Average Retail Price" of an Item
No, this doesn't mean you have to watch "The Price is Right" obsessively. However, it is a good idea to keep the original price of an item in mind before buying it. Stores often mark merchandise way up before putting it on sale, so an item that says 50% off is really only 10-20% off. Do a little research (internet retailers make this easy!) and take note of the original price of any items that interest you - that way you'll know when you're really getting a steal.

BOGO: Not Always a Deal
Buy one get one free or buy one get one half off sales are usually a store's way of getting you to buy more merchandise than you really want. If you only need one pair of shoes, buying that second pair at half price isn't really saving you money. To best take advantage of this type of sale, take a friend along and split the cost - you'll each get just what you need, and still take advantage of the discount.

Patience is a Virtue
Waiting too long to buy an item can be dangerous - you run the risk that by the time the item is marked down to a price you're willing to pay, your size may not be available. However, given the current state of the economy, retailers are having a harder time than ever selling their wares, which means waiting for a deep discount isn't quite so risky. If you're really nervous about missing out on an item, purchase it, save your receipt and then continue to watch the price. If it drops within two weeks of your purchase, most retailers will do a price adjustment for you.

If you're anything like me, you've undoubtedly had this very trying experience: you buy a new pair of shoes, wear them once and come home to discover that you've scuffed the toe, broken the heel or done some other damage that either makes the shoe un-wearable or unsightly. Same goes for clothing - a glass of red wine spilled on a white sweater, mud on the cuffs of your slacks, a small tear in your overcoat. These little mishaps can cost you a fortune, and they always seem to happen to the clothing items you love the most.

In these cases, knowing a reliable and reasonably priced tailor and shoe repairman is invaluable. Yes, I realize it's easier just to shove those broken heeled shoes to the back of the closet, but in these tough economic times, the last thing we need is a stockpile of useless shoes and nothing to wear! Fortunately, shoe repairs (along with jewelry repairs and most minor alterations) are relatively inexpensive. Of course, it doesn't make much sense to spend $20 resoling shoes that you bought at a discount store for $10, but if you have made investments in more expensive pieces, like classic leather boots, it is well worth the money to repair them and wear them year after year.

If you have any skill with a needle and thread, you can mend small holes and tears in your clothes yourself easily, but a good tailor can do much, much more. He or she can take in your best wardrobe pieces in case you lose a few pounds and repair broken zippers or hem pants, usually for much less than the cost of replacing the item.

Another money saving tip that may seem counter-intuitive is to avoid the dry-cleaner. Why? Dry cleaning is expensive, and the chemicals they use are extremely hard on your clothes. Most fabrics can be washed by hand in cold water, and things like suits can simply be aired out between wearings with only an occasional cleaning. Your clothes will last longer and, as long as you're careful with washing, they'll still look great!

Dropping hundreds or thousands of dollars on the season's hottest fashions is normal for many fashionistas, but in the current financial environment, it may not be the most fiscally responsible choice. However, there is a bright side to the bleak financial picture. Now is the perfect time to focus and streamline your wardrobe to create a unique look that is completely your own.

Let's be honest; how many of you have bought clothing in the past simply because it was the hottest trend, not because it was really your style or looked great on you? Probably all of us have done that at one time or another - but now, when we need to watch our pennies, we can't make such poor fashion decisions. Now is the time to carefully assess each item we buy and ask, "Do I need it? Will I wear it (more than once)? Do I LOVE it? Is it ME?"

As you ask yourself these questions, keep your current wardrobe in mind. What are your favorite colors, clothing styles and accessories in your closet? Do your wardrobe pieces add up to a coherent "look" or are they hopelessly eclectic? If you can figure out the way you want to look and the image you want to project, it will be much easier for you to figure out what your wardrobe basics should be and build from there.

Once you've discovered your own style, there will be no need for you to spend thousands on new trendy clothing for each season. As new styles come along, decide if they fit into your overall style and lifestyle, and if not, pass them by. For instance, an outdoorsy girl who prefers to dress casually probably doesn't NEED red patent leather boots, fabulous though they may seem. A better choice for her would be a pair of hiking boots in a fun, flirty color - that way she can show her trendy side in a way that complements her lifestyle and existing wardrobe. Ladies who prefer pants to skirts can simply ignore the upward or downward trend of skirt and dress hemlines and stick to trousers entirely.

The same principle applies to color. If this season's hottest color is yellow, but you hate yellow, look terrible in yellow or have nothing in your existing wardrobe that goes with yellow - skip it! If it's not YOU, there's no point in wasting money on it. If you're dying to try the trendy color, choose an inexpensive, utilitarian item like a handbag or belt - that way you haven't spent a ton of money, and you can always trade with a friend who really does love yellow!

In short, building a wardrobe of clothing that looks good on you, fits your lifestyle and reflects the image you want to project will always make you look a hundred times more fashionable than simply wearing the latest trends. Never buy anything you don't love - your look AND your wallet will thank you for it!

How many times have we heard fashion gurus say, "Pink (or brown, or green, or red, or whatever) is the new black!"? Too many to count. In these tough financial times, however, filling up your closet with the new "it" color each season doesn't make a lot of sense. Buying baby doll dresses and micro-minis just because they're in doesn't either. Fortunately, there is a better way!

Each season, some color always gets referred to as the "new black" - that's because black never goes out of style and looks great with everything (same goes for other neutrals, like beige, white, off-white, dark brown and navy). Building your base wardrobe in neutral colors is a great way to ensure that you never get caught wearing last season's pink trench coat when orange is this season's black.

Neutrals are boring, though - right? Well, they can be. However, they make a great blank slate for you to decorate with trendier pieces, colors and accessories. For instance, a plain white blouse can be paired with a scarf in this season's hottest color, a funky necklace or even adorned with a skinny belt. Also, wearing neutral pants allows you to show off your inner fashionista with fabulous, colorful shoes, boots and stockings. These accessories can be purchased very inexpensively and can keep your basic wardrobe au courant while keeping your wallet full!

Classic styles are another area to focus on. Turtleneck sweaters, crisp white blouses, mid-rise dress slacks, A-line skirts and boot-cut jeans are always in style, so base your wardrobe on these staples. Also, instead of kowtowing to every trend that comes along, figure out what looks best on your body and stick with it.

When you do want to try out a trendier piece, purchase something inexpensive or borrow it from a friend before committing a big chunk of change to something you may only wear once. If something in a "trendy" style truly looks amazing on you, don't worry about wearing it after the trend has passed - if it looks great, it won't look dated. Another plus - you can wait until classics go on sale to buy them, since, by definition, they never go out of style!

Staying fashionable in a recession seems like it would be impossible to do, but it is actually very easy. The key is to build a versatile base wardrobe with pieces of clothing that will last, that will coordinately easily with the other pieces in your wardrobe and that can be accessorized. Your base wardrobe will carry you from season to season and fashion trend to fashion trend and will allow you to quickly and inexpensively update your wardrobe each season with only one or two minor purchases.

The Base Wardrobe
Your base wardrobe is what will be the heart of your fashion statement. These pieces won't be show stoppers on their own, but they will provide you with the base on which to build a great looking and fashionable ensemble. Your base wardrobe will include a great fitting pair of dark denim jeans that are the right shape and fit for your body type, camisoles of various colors, a structured jacket in a neutral color, a pair of black dress pants, a black pencil skirt, a pair of black pointy toed heels and a collection of neutral colored pants and tops.

Jazzing Up Your Seasonal Wardrobe
Since your base wardrobe is constructed with clothing items that have neutral colors, you will jazz up your seasonal wardrobe by buying colorful accent pieces that have the colors that are "in" for the season. For example, if you are trying to update your spring wardrobe, you can buy scarves, tops or skirts that have pastel colors that are in this spring. These pieces can be used with your base wardrobe pieces to create a variety of new outfits that will look fresh, crisp and fashion-forward for the current season.

Accessorizing on a Budget
If you have pieces that will work for this season then you can upgrade or update your wardrobe by purchasing a few simple accessories. By adding accessories like a great pair of earrings, a necklace or a simple scarf, you can turn a basic outfit constructed from a tank top and a pencil skirt into an outfit that is appropriate for work, a night on the town or a beach picnic. The key is to select items that have colors that will work with more than one piece or outfit in your wardrobe and also make a statement.

Staying fashionable in a recession is not difficult. All you have to do is be a smarter shopper. While there are many different strategies that you can use to keep your wardrobe versatile, fashionable and current, one of the easiest ways is to avoid paying full price for your clothing and accessories whenever possible. Bargain hunting is how you do this, and it can be a lot of fun.

Clearance Sales
You can get the best deals on seasonal items at clearance sales. The biggest clearance sales are usually scheduled near the end of the season when the next season's collections are stocked by retailers. At these huge clearance sales you can find great deals on everything from outerwear to accessories. However, while these seasonal events get the most press, they are not the only clearance sales you can take advantage of. Many stores have an area in each of their departments where clearance items are displayed. These discrete clearance sales are great for finding deals on everyday items like layering clothing items, accessories and accent pieces.

BOGO Sales
Another great way to find a deal on fashion items is to wait for BOGO sales. BOGO stands for buy one get one. These sales can be buy one, get one free, which basically gives you a 50-percent discount on each of selected items, or they can be a buy one, get one half off, which gives you 25 percent off each item.

Special Item Sales
The third option that you have for saving money while staying fashionable in a recession is to look for your special fashion pieces in item of the week sales. Many retailers, especially online retailers, have a tendency to feature a special item each week. These items are discounted between 25 and 40 percent. These special sales can help you keep your wardrobe in fashion without breaking your budget.

Selecting Your Bargain Items
The key to staying fashionable in a recession is to be smart about your purchases. While buying clothing and accessories at special sales can save you money, buying the wrong items can both kill your budget and keep your wardrobe from looking fresh. The key is to build a basic wardrobe that can transition from year to year seamlessly and then buy key fashion pieces each season at special sales events to give your wardrobe a current look.