There is a very specific moment that happens backstage at every single show.

It’s quiet.
Too quiet.

Someone leans in and whispers,
“Does anyone have a safety pin?”

And suddenly—everyone freezes.

I’ve been backstage for over a decade. I’ve dressed first-timers, pros, and Olympians. I’ve seen tears over broken clasps, panic over missing lip gloss, and that oh no realization that the thing you meant to pack… didn’t make it into the bag.

This post isn’t meant to scare you.
It’s meant to make sure you never have that moment.

Because show day is not the day to improvise.

Backstage Is Controlled Chaos (And That’s Normal)

Here’s the truth no one tells you early on:
Even the most prepared athletes have something go sideways on show day.

A suit shifts.
A tan smudges.
Your pump feels off.
Your number falls off right before stage call.

None of that means you’re failing. It means you’re human.

The difference between panic and confidence isn’t experience—it’s preparation.

And that’s where your show day emergency kit comes in.

Think of This as Your “Just in Case” Bag

This isn’t about overpacking. It’s about having the little things that suddenly feel very big when they’re not there.

Bring it and never use it? Best case.
Need it and don’t have it? That’s where the stress starts.

We’re not bringing that energy into 2026 besties.

If you want this broken down into a clean, printable list you can actually pack from, download our Show Day Essentials Checklist.

Keep it on your phone or tape it inside your suitcase. One less thing to think about when your brain’s already full!

Suit & Trunks Fixes (The Stuff That Saves the Day)

I cannot tell you how many times this category alone has rescued someone.

Pack:

• Extra suit or trunks (even if it’s just your posing suit)
• Safety pins (more than you think you need)
• Double-sided fashion tape or glue
• Small scissors
• A mini sewing kit (needle + thread that matches your suit)
• Rhinestone glue
• A few extra stones if applicable

If you’re thinking, “My suit fits perfectly, I won’t need this,” over-preparing never hurt  anyone—and let’s be honest, a little good karma from helping a fellow competitor can only work in your favor.

Hair, Makeup & “Why Is My Face Doing That?” Touch-Ups

Stage lighting shows everything. And backstage lighting shows… nothing. Plan accordingly.

Have with you:

• Your stage lipstick or gloss (you can always ask your MUA for a sample)
• Powder or blotting sheets
• Q-tips and/or disposable make up sponges 
• Pocket fan
• Setting spray
• Lash glue (even if you swear yours won’t lift)
• Nail glue (can be used for so many things)
• Bobby pins, hair ties, smoothing serum
• Baby wipes
• A small mirror
• Comb
• Tweezers
• Disposable razor for random missed hairs

You want to look polished—not rushed.

Pump, Body & Physique Essentials

Your body doesn’t care that it’s show day—it’s still responding to food, stress, water, and timing.

Pack:

• Resistance bands
• Light weights (if allowed)
• Pump oil (often provided and applied by tanning team)
• Hand towel 
• Salt packets and disposable cutlery for last minute meals
• Quick carbs (coach approved)

This isn’t about chasing a pump. It’s about maintaining the one you earned.

Tan, Skin & Emergency Clean-Up

Tan, blisters, and other emergencies happen. Period.

Bring:

• Tan touch-up product
• Disposable gloves
• Paper towels
• Wet wipes
• Band-Aids 
• Emergency electrolyte packet and small snack just in case. 
• Gum

Being prepared = calm, composed, and confident when it matters most.

The “No One Talks About These” Items

These are the quiet heroes.

• Phone power bank
• Notebook and pen
• Headphones
• Tampons (if applicable)
• Printed schedule or stage times
• Cash
• Pain reliever (coach approved)
• An affirmation, verse, or grounding reminder

I’ve watched athletes steady their breathing with a single sentence written on a card. Don’t underestimate that.

Let’s Talk Timing (Because This Matters)

One of the biggest mistakes I see is waiting until the night before to pack.

Show day should feel familiar—not frantic.

4–6 Weeks Out

• Start a master checklist
• Order backup suit pieces if needed
• Confirm tan and show rules
• Confirm travel routes and plan meals accordingly
• Practice your pump routine

1–2 Weeks Out

• Build your emergency kit
• Confirm reservations and timing for hotel/tan/MUA/photoshoots etc. 
• Do a full hair and makeup trial if applicable
• Practice posing in your actual suit, then pack it in a travel-safe container that stays with you during travel. Trust me on this one—do not check your show-day attire at the airport.

2–3 Days Before

• Lay everything out
• Prepare travel meals 
• Don’t rely on airports or gas stations to have what you need when you need it.
  • Prepare extra meals according to your protocol. One of my favorite strategies is pre-weighing and cooking everything ahead of time, portioning meals into individual bags, stacking them in a container, and freezing them. They travel well, can be eaten cold or reheated as needed—and remove all guesswork.
• Pack your show day bag completely
• Charge devices
• Review your timeline

Night Before

Do not:

• Try new products
• Change your plan
• Ask others for their opinions 
• Overthink

Trust the work that brought you here.

Final Thought (From Someone Who’s Been There)

Confidence on show day doesn’t come from luck.
It comes from knowing you’re prepared.

When you’ve planned for the little things, your mind stays clear for the big moment—walking on stage and owning what you’ve built.

And if there’s one thing I want you to remember, it’s this:

Prepared competitors don’t panic. They pivot.

And that’s what champions do.