Five Essentials The SI Swimsuit Team Cannot Live Without

When you spend six months a year traveling around the world, you know what products work.

We traveled a collective 19 million miles to shoot the 2019 issue. From frozen tundras, to scalding safaris and blistering beaches we’ve done it all. In doing so, we have come to find our tested-and-true SI Swimsuit shoot MUST haves.

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THE MOST DURABLE LUGGAGE:

What suitcase does 75% of the SI Swimsuit crew use you ask? That would be any made by Eagle Creek. When your suitcase is used to carry a two week supply of clothes and thrown from plane to plane, from plane to boat, from boat to cargo truck, you need something that can withstand the wear and tear. Speaking from experience, on one of my first Sports Illustrated shoots, I used an old family suitcase that fell apart on the return journey. My clothes were strewn about in Newark airport. MJ Day, the Editor-In-Chief of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, has had her trusted Eagle Creek for years and if she swears by a travel product after shooting in over 100 countries, you can bet the rest of the team follows suit (pun intended). Whether packing for a cold weather shoot in Wyoming, a safari shoot in Kenya, or a beach shoot in Bali – these suitcases have you covered.

Image courtesy of Eagle Creek

A CHIC BANDANA:

On any given day you can see a crew member sporting one. They keep our necks covered from a sunburn, our hair in place from the elements, our faces covered when there is a sand storm or mosquitos attack, they are used as a strap for our radio and sometimes a bikini top. They really are the perfect shoot accessory and we love these by Madewell. They have plenty of cute patterns and offer a nice touch to our basic shoot wardrobes of white/black t-shirts and shorts.

Image courtesy of Madewell

A PRACTICAL BUT TRENDY FANNY PACK:

We wore them before they were cool again. Every crew member has their own distinct style, a way they like to wear theirs and each fanny pack is stocked with different items. From video and photo assistants with lenses, to our edit team with fashion tape, scissors and polaroids, to the makeup artist with an on set to-go kit, these little wonders are a life-saving shoot essential.

THE PERFECT PAIR OF JEAN SHORTS:

What can you wear on set that is chic, yet comfortable enough for a 12 hour day in the sun? Jean shorts. Each swimsuit editor has their go to pair, most of us have one pair of shorts that is worn every single day (don’t worry, we usually have laundry). Mine is a pair by Good American called "The Bombshell" which is fitting for a shoot with some of the most beautiful women in the world. There is finally a brand that is comfortable, fits the curves and is stretchy enough to allow you to chase after a bikini top that’s floating away in the ocean.

Image courtesy of Good American

MEGABABE PRODUCTS:

When you’re out in the sun, in shorts, in 95 degree heat…thigh rub is bound to happen. The worst is when it happens on day 1 of a 10 day shoot. You might as well pack your bag and take the next flight out, but when you traveled 48 hours to get to a location, that is not an option. Eventually, we discovered the holy grail of all products – Megababe Thigh Rescue. We used to do the old deodorant trick, until we stumbled upon this product created by blogger and friend of Hunter McGrady, Katie Sturino.

Image courtesy of Megababe