Your parents may have already told you to cut back on spending after the economy's downturn last year, and are keen that spending for summer should not get out of hand. New clothes for dances or parties, for example, can quickly add up. Luckily, just because the economy is not looking too great doesn't mean you can't. Here are some tips for surviving without breaking the bank:

Find new ways to wear old clothes

Go through your closet and find new, creative ways to wear the clothes you already own. Dress up casual basics like khakis or sweaters, for example, by pairing them with fancy skirts or blouses. Play with the colours in your wardrobe and find new, unexpected colour combinations. Use accessories to change up the look, too -- add brightly coloured jewellery to liven up neutral outfits, or tie a belt around a loose-fitting top. With some imagination and resourcefulness, it's easy to create brand new looks straight from your closet.

Caption: Dress up casual basics by pairing them with fancy skirts or blouses.

Text: Aarti Iyer | Photograph: Chip East/Reuters

Also see: 10 hot summer styles for the urban woman