Competition Bikini Checklist: Everything You Need for Show Day

You've spent months training, dieting, posing and preparing for your competition. The last thing you want is to arrive backstage and realise you've forgotten something important!

Whether this is your first show or your hundreth, having a show day checklist can help reduce stress and allow you to focus on what really matters - enjoying the experience and showcasing all of your hard work.

Here's our complete competition bikini checklist for show day.

The Essentials

These are the items you absolutely don't want to forget:

✅ Competition bikini

✅ Competition heels

✅ Federation membership card (if required)

✅ Photo ID (for registration)

✅ Music (if competing in a class that requires a routine)

✅ Your competitor number (once given to you at registration)

If you're travelling to your show, we always recommend packing your bikini and heels in your hand luggage or a separate bag. After months of preparation, it's simply not worth the risk.

Bikini Emergency Kit

Ask any experienced competitor and they'll tell you the same thing: something unexpected always happens backstage.

A small emergency kit can save a lot of panic.

We recommend packing:

✅ Safety pins

✅ Fashion tape

✅ Spare earrings

✅ Clear nail varnish

✅ Mini sewing kit

✅ Spare bikini connectors (if applicable)

✅ Scissors

✅ Hair grips and bobbles

Most athletes never need these items, but when they do, they're incredibly grateful they packed them.

Hair, Makeup & Presentation

The details matter.

Before leaving for the venue, double-check:

✅ Competition tan booked or completed

✅ Hair products

✅ Hairbrush

✅ Makeup touch-up products

✅ Lipstick or gloss

✅ Jewellery

Food & Hydration

Show day nutrition should always follow your coach's plan.

That said, don't forget the basics:

✅ Water bottle

✅ Meals for the day

✅ Cutlery

✅ Napkins

✅ Any supplements you're using

✅ Emergency snacks

Backstage schedules don't always run exactly to plan, so it's wise to bring more food than you think you'll need.

Comfort Items

Show days can be long.

Very long.

You may only spend a few minutes on stage, but many competitors are at the venue for most of the day.

Some useful extras include:

✅ Dressing gown or robe

✅ Comfortable clothing

✅ Sliders or flipflops

✅ Phone charger

✅ Portable charger

✅ Headphones

✅ Blanket or hoodie (something to lie on)

✅ Book or tablet

The more comfortable you are backstage, the easier it is to stay relaxed and focused.

Posing Essentials

You've worked hard on your posing. Make sure you're prepared to perform at your best.

Pack:

✅ Resistance bands for a pump-up

✅ Small mirror

✅ Posing suit (for morning check ins)

✅ Any posing accessories required for your federation

Many athletes find it helpful to run through their quarter turns or routine a few times backstage before heading on stage.

Things Nobody Tells You To Pack

These are the items experienced competitors often swear by:

✨ Wet wipes

✨ Plasters

✨ Breath mints

✨ Tissues

✨ Pain relief

✨ Spare contact lenses

✨ Portable fan

✨ A she-wee (saving competitors from peeing all over their tan since forever).

None of these seem important until you suddenly need them!

Most Importantly...

Remember why you're there.

It's easy to get caught up comparing yourself to other competitors backstage. Someone will always look bigger, leaner, fuller or more experienced.

But none of that changes the work you've put in.

The goal on show day isn't perfection.

The goal is to step on stage proud of what you've achieved.

Take photos. Make memories. Enjoy the experience.

You've already done the hard part.

The stage is simply where you get to celebrate it.

Good luck with your season - we're rooting for you! 💎✨