Times are tough and it is time to save money in all aspects of life. That doesn’t mean that you can’t look great during the recession.

The easiest and cheapest way to update your wardrobe is to buy accessories. Add the newest colors and patterns to your look for little money compared to buying all new clothes. Items like scarves, sunglasses and even nail polish can keep you looking current for a few bucks each.

Don’t forget about the clearance rack. Stores like Urban Outfitters and American Apparel are the best for staying updated on the latest trends. But with prices ranging from $18-$68 for a shirt, most of us can’t afford to shop there often. When these stores put items on clearance the prices can be dramatically slashed by as much as 80 percent.

Get staples like leggings and plain t-shirts from department stores like Target or JCPenny’s. These retailers often have sales on already cheap prices on basics for every wardrobe.

There are a few items that you never need to spend a lot of money on because they do not have a high life expectancy when it comes to wear and tear. T-shirts should always be cheap, there is no such thing as a designer t-shirt, you should be embarrassed if you have ever spent over $20 for a cotton tee.

Trendy items should always be bought at stores like Forever 21 and H&M. The clothes are cheap and only last as long as the trend, don’t waste your money buying these items from anywhere else.

Sunglasses are a debatable item. I feel like these should be bought for cheap because sunglasses are often broken or lost. The only time it is okay to splurge is when you have a signature look that you always stick to.

The only time you truly need to splurge is when you are buying shoes, make-up, jeans and purses. Quality is important for these important parts of your wardrobe, so go ahead and spend more because it will be worth it.

Crystal Kirk can be reached at [email protected]