Last week I shared why I think three isn’t a crowd when it comes to going out. Now let’s go over some do’s and don’t’s, shall we? Starting with…

what every girl should bring to the club.

Guys have it so easy. All they have to carry into the club is their phone and (fully loaded) wallet. But girls? We have to put a little more thought on what we bring along with us for a night out. It’s unfortunate that these reminders even have to be made because they’re all pretty basic, but I can’t tell you how many girls I see lacking these nightlife necessities.

1) a coat. Girls, there is no excuse in the world to not bring a coat when the weather is below about 55 degrees. When you walk up holding onto your own arms for dear life and apparently convulsing…it’s just awkward. Not a good look. So do us all a favor and acknowledge that a $4 coat check > your daily latte.

If you’re insistent on traveling sans a coat for your night out, at least consider bringing a bomber jacket or blazer that can easily be left at the table (but don’t be surprised if it has disappeared by the end of the night. Just saying).

2) the right shoes. I understand that beauty can sometimes be pain, but walking like a (crippled) baby deer is not doing you any favors. When you walk/wobble like that, no one’s going to be looking at your shoes anyway. So stop being concerned about what shoes you’re wearing and start thinking about how to not look like a hot mess. (tip: super-skinny stilettos can get boring anyway, why not try something more fun like these booties?)

If you just can’t bring yourself to part from those not-so-comfortable but oh-so-fierce pumps of yours, consider throwing a pair of easily collapsible flats into your purse to be safe. Those will come in handy when your friends are hell bent on walking rather than cabbing it to the next club.

3) a flirting accessory. We’ve all heard about wearing a “conversation piece,” but have you heard about the importance of having a flirting accessory? Whether you’re trying to meet new guys or just get some drinks bought for you, the right flirting accessory can make miracles happen. For example, my BFF Jessi has had literally hundreds of guys approach her just to say “they LOVE her unique glasses.” I’ve seen other girls take advantage of the flirting accessory – whether it’s obnoxious earrings or an attention-grabbing graphic tee- and the success rate is pretty darn high. Bet you can’t guess what mine is…

4) your credit card. “But when I go out I don’t spend a single dime!” Okay, we get it. Adorable. Go ahead and rely on your table service, but my friends and I would rather not risk having to stand drink-less at the bar looking like desperate golddiggers. Not to mention that no one’s going to feel sorry for you when you’re tripping on cobblestones sans a Sugar Daddy trying to find a free ride home.

…think you got all of those? Okay, great. Now moving on to:

what girls definitely shouldn’t bring to the club.

The only thing worse than forgetting to bring certain key necessities to the club is bringing the wrong ones along with you. Although you should never go without the simple basics like a coat and a credit card, less is more when it comes to what you carry around during your night out. Some of the things girls carry along with them can be so distracting that they warrant an on-the-spot intervention, so read carefully to spare yourself from being an offender of these all too common girl accessories.

Leave the big camera at home. In the age of the cell phone camera, pulling a normal-sized camera out of your purse and snapping away is way too reminiscent of freshman year of college (which, clearly you have the pictures to prove it). Remember that not everyone is comfortable with having photos taken of them by strangers, and a non-stop camera flash is just plain annoying. Even cell phone pictures should be kept to a minimum – and unless you’re actually a photographer – stop trying to snap proof that you’re having fun and just…have it!

Ditch the massive handbag. An awkwardly large purse begs the question, did you just come from running errands? What’s next – are you going to pull out your keys with a million key chains on it? There’s something bizarre about the bond girls form with their handbags. It’s understandable that that’s where you keep all of your daily must-haves, but you most likely won’t be using 99% of them when you’re at the club anyway.

Make the investment in a small shoulder bag – one that’s perfectly sized to fit the necessities (and only the necessities) for your night out.

Spare us from your boyfriend issues. We’ve all experienced that night out where a girl friend is trying to drown her relationship sorrows in an endless stream of cranberry vodkas. Whether you’re drinking yourself into oblivion or breaking conversation every 5 minutes to talk about what he just tweeted, try to stop and remember that you’re totally being “that girl.” In the same way that it’s important for girls to be there for each other when going through tough times, don’t ruin the night for everyone when you could have just said you needed a girl’s night at home instead. If you do still decide to go out, make an effort to enjoy the night and cry it out tomorrow in a more appropriate setting.

Lose the bachelorette party props. Plain and simple: sashes, veils and inappropriately-shaped straws just don’t belong in the club. While celebrating your upcoming nuptials in NYC can make for a great pre-wedding night out, there’s something about those props that make girls become 10x more ridiculous (and not the “good” ridiculous). You can still make it known that you’re the bride-to-be, but lose the weird crown and try something classy like a white lacey dress. If you’re idea of a bachelorette party is simply incomplete without the traditional props, get it out of your system at a fun dive bar before heading to the club.

The CEO from your west-coast office – proceed with caution. Sometimes even the best of relationships with a promoter or doorman can’t keep your boss from having to pay for a table. Unless you have a secure plan in place for the night, you could be setting yourself up for failure. Let’s be honest, no one wants to be the person who couldn’t deliver their boss’ long-awaited crazy night out in the NYC. To be safe, give your boss and promoter friend the heads up beforehand, and then…you know…just keep the fact that your company brought in x-billion last year on the down-low.

So there you have it – just about all the advice you need to avoid being “that girl” at the club. Now party on, clubrats, and remember not to take yourself too seriously, okay?

What’s your biggest pet peeve that girls do/bring/say/wear during a night out?