College girls know the importance of the night out. Letting loose and burning off steam, bonding with friends, and proving that you actually look nice when you take the time to do your makeup, do something with your hair besides the greasy ponytail, and wear something besides leggings and oversized tees. 

Going out is a crucial part of the college experience, so use this list, as you pack, to make sure you look and feel your best.

1. Small wallet or clutch. Purses are too bulky and always get in your way while dancing, so you’ll need a small bag to carry your going out essentials: splash card, I.D., phone, lipstick and cash. Everyone knows someone who’s left their wallet at the bar, or in the back of a cab, so don’t bring more than you can stand losing.  

2. "Going out” sneakers, like Converse or Vans. After returning from a night at frat parties and the boot, a girl in sandals discovers that her feet are disgustingly dirty. Unfortunately, after a night out girls aren’t reliable to wash off their makeup, let alone their feet, so it’s best to avoid compromising the sheets that you barely wash anyway. Drink spillage and street dirt aside, sneakers are comfy and protect you when you get stepped on by the staggering drunk girl who decided to wear heels. The morning after my very first college party, last August ,I woke up to discover I was missing half a toenail.   

3. One well-fitting pair of dark-wash denim skinny jeans. They look good on everyone and can easily be dressed up with heels and a nice blouse.  

4. One tight black mini-skirt. These badboys go with everything.  

5. Pair of spandex shorts. To avoid the perils of the aforementioned itty-bitty skirt. Ladies gotta stay classy.  

6. Some costume apparel. Raid your dress-up chest before coming to school and grab a few small accessories like cat ears, devil horns, a Hawaiian shirt, camo pants or a funny hat. Theme parties are big on campus but, often, there isn’t a lot of warning so everyone is left scrambling. Costume pieces are a necessity for Halloweekend, and various Greek mixers and events, so feel free to bring a little of what you already have to save money down the road.  

7. A few dark colored pieces. I know, I know, it’s harder to stand out in black and navy. But New Orleans is hot, and frat parties are even hotter, so on humid nights stick to darker colors, which won’t highlight your sweat. Liven up the outfit with a neon bandeau underneath or sparkly jewelry.  

8. Statement outfit or two. Some nights, you just need to be the center of attention in all of your neon, glittery, cutout crop top glory.  

9. Cheap jacket or sweater for cooler nights that you won’t mind, if gets spilled on, stepped on or left behind. There are many casualties in the lives of going out apparel, so shopping at somewhere cheaper, like Target or Forever 21, is best.  

10. The most important accessories are your best girlfriends who help you navigate the getting ready, the pre-game, the sloppy selfies on your way out the door, the parties, the bars, the lines for the bathroom, and the pigging out at Boot Pizza or City Diner.

What are your going-out wardrobe must-haves? Please comment in the section below!