Our guest blogger, Portia Obeng, loves noble causes and thrift store shopping. You can find her regularly blogging as examiner.com’s D.C. Charity Examiner.

The huge September issues of fashion magazines are on the newsstands and they’re full of fall 2009 trends. So far, I’ve read that tights are still in, big chunky jewelry is popular, and designers are putting metallic studs on everything. But we’re all aware of the economy and even the most die-hard fashion lovers are not quite ready to purchase that mocha Michael Kors sweater dress.

One of the best things you can do to update your look without breaking the bank is extending your summer wardrobe into fall.  Create new looks by adding inexpensive fall pieces to your favorite summer clothes. The Goodwill is a great place to find unique pieces.

Here are some easy tips:

• If you have a knee-length or shorter bright dress, search for a dark or cream blazer or cardigan. Don’t just stick to the blazer section of your store; look through the suits as well. You may not need the skirt, but you could wear the blazer. Then look for scarves and a skinny belt. Wear tights under your dress, add the blazer, one of your scarves and finish the look with the belt with either under or over the outside waist area of the blazer. And don’t worry too much about matching perfectly; matching is overrated. A fuchsia dress, a gray blazer, purple belt, gray tights, and a black scarf would look great together.

• Always look through the accessories because stores like Target often donate their unsold merchandise to Goodwill stores. Get bangles in several different colors and styles, necklaces of different lengths, earrings, brooches, and purses. Wear your favorite summer jeans and t-shirt outfit. Then, fab-up your fall jacket from last year with a big brooch and wear your bangles on the outside of your jacket. Add two or three necklaces of different lengths and a bag. The outfit is simple, but the accessories make it look fresh and new.

• Yes, you can wear short skirts in the fall. Just make sure to wear tights on cold days. Wear your favorite print pattern summer skirt, black tights, and lots of layers on top. Try a button-down blouse with a vest, the young men’s section of Goodwill usually has a good selection of unique vests and the women’s section too. Or you can wear your favorite sweater from last fall and accessorize with a big necklace, a ring, and a purse from the Goodwill.

Goodwill is a great place to let your creative vibes flow freely. Don’t be afraid to mix and match patterns and textures you normally would stay away from.  And take your time when you’re looking, that’s when you find the best items.