So your summer earnings turned out to be less than your spendings. Your bar tab passed the three-digit mark and purchasing your textbooks left your bank account dry.

After surveying your lack of funds, the idea of going back-to-school shopping seems as hopeful as Whitney Houston making a comeback.

You wonder how poor college students such as yourself are supposed to dress themselves this season and appear somewhat in style. Not to worry, even someone in credit card debt can purchase a few key accessories on a budget to update their wardrobe this fall.

Veronica Burk, longtime manager of Mr. Charles, 228 E. College Ave., said the number one accessory to buy is a belt. Burk said the belt is everywhere and is "the essential," for this season.

"You can play it up or down," Burk said.

Wide leather belts are sold for $20 at Mr. Charles in a variety of colors. On a budget, the $20 belt compliments many classic items already in a girl's closet from long sweaters to T-shirts and skirts.

"That's how you update your dress from last year," Burk said.

Nicole Huckabee, assistant manager of Metro, 320 E. College Ave., agreed a wide belt is a must. She said the wide-belt trend would last for the entire year.

"Any plain T-shirt you could dress up with a belt," Huckabee said. "It can be worn on the waist or hip."

Furthermore, Burk said a person could follow the skinny jean trend by simply altering clothing hanging in their closet, like jeans or a pants suit. Burk said someone could easily have the legs of the jean or dress pant tailored to the trend.

"You don't want to buy a whole new outfit," Burk said.

The thick headband is also a crucial accessory to purchase this season. Some students may be able to forgo this purchase all together if they are packrats. Nonetheless, those who failed to save their childhood headbands should not panic because headbands will not empty out your wallet. At Metro, headbands start around $10 -- depending on the style -- and come in an assortment of colors to coordinate with any outfit.

"With almost every purchase we sell a headband," Huckabee said.

Another key accessory to spruce up your wardrobe is the long necklace. Penn State Alumnus Crystal Lansenderfer, who works at Crushed Ice, 358 E. College Ave., said the necklace is very versatile. The necklace can be worn different ways for multiple looks. It can fall "short," where the necklace is wrapped around the neck multiple times for a casual look during the day or "long," falling down the torso.

Lansenderfer said wearing a long necklace dresses up any outfit and is quickly becoming a huge trend. At Crushed Ice, long necklaces range from $18 to $36, depending on the piece.

Price-wise, the only accessory a student might have to splurge on is the oversized bag. A lot of students are buying high-quality leather bags, Burk said. They compliment the long sweater and leggings look. At Mr. Charles, these bags start at $170.

Lansenderfer agreed that an oversized, structured bag is a vital accessory.

"It all comes down to your bag. Depending on what purse you have, you can make anything look fashionable," Lansenderfer said.

Ultimately, if money is not flowing your way and credit card companies have you on their speed dial, think Paris Hilton and remember, "the best accessory a girl can have is her best friend."