10 Swim-Season Essentials to Buy, According to a Victoria's Secret Exec

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The Expert Edit features interviews with specialists about the products they swear by in their chosen field. For the latest installment, we spoke to Kira Fisher, VP Brand Design, Victoria's Secret & Co, about her top recommendations for swim season, from bikinis to beach day essentials.

Kira Fisher, VP Brand Design, VS&Co, has roots in Newport Beach, CA, where the swim and surf culture became embedded in her DNA while she was growing up as an athlete. A Bachelors in Fine Arts and Major in Fashion Design from the Academy of Art University led her to design stints at Abercrombie & Fitch, Aéropostale, and American Eagle — and she eventually landed at Victoria's Secret, where she's grown with the brand for over nine years.

Fisher is now a seasoned pro when it comes to doling out advice for swim season, largely thanks to her experience learning about the VS customer and what they seek during the summer. "[Swim]wear is all about balancing sexy and comfort. I truly believe when you're comfortable, you're at your best and that makes you feel sexy and confident," she tells PS. "It really comes down to what you like to wear – if its full coverage or a thong, or a full coverage top to a small triangle bikini, a brand's line should offer a breadth of frames and coverages across tops and bottoms so everyone can feel comfortable. What I love about VS Swim is that, given Victoria's Secret's expertise in bras, our swim collection has such great frames that offer lift and support."

Given VS's design history in intimates, Fisher explains that the same technology, craftsmanship, and fabric knowledge is leveraged into both the Swim and Sport categories, which is why they've become so popular. Customers have been gravitating toward the Archival collection recently, with their eyes on more fashion-forward pieces that incorporate, chains, splashy patterns, and silhouettes that contour the body.

Fisher's biggest piece of advice for those shopping for swim season is that "you know your own body better than anyone else. The biggest thing is you have to try it on and see how it makes you feel! [The] trying on experience really evolves you from what you think you will be comfortable in. Think about the coverage you want in your collection and go from there!"

Fisher talked to PS about her own personal must haves for a summer vacation, including everything from travel essentials to her favorite VS bikini to real time beach day indulgences. Ahead, shop her expert picks as a swim connoisseur.

Best Sparkling Water
amazon.com

Best Sparkling Water

LaCroix Sparkling Water, Mango, 12 Fl Oz (Pack of 8) ($5)

"LaCroix – I'm addicted to the Mango and literally always carrying one."

Best Breath Mints
amazon.com

Best Breath Mints

Altoids Peppermint Mints Single Pack ($5)

"Altoids!!! They're always great to have on hand."

Best Socks
victoriassecret.com

Best Socks

Victoria's Secret PINK Quarter Sock 2-Pack ($10, originally $15)

"Socks are a must for airports and plane rides. I love these from PINK."

Best Dry Shampoo Alternative
ulta.com

Best Dry Shampoo Alternative

Sunday II Sunday Root Refresh Micellar Rinse Dry Shampoo Alternative ($31)

"I travel with this hair product to get me in-between washes. It's really meant for women who are athletic and are swimming and working out, plus they have a travel size."

Best Packing Cubes
victoriassecret.com

Best Packing Cubes

Victoria's Secret 3-Piece Makeup Bag ($40)

"Packing cubes!!! I can't travel without packing cubes – no idea how people are dealing with messy suitcases! I also always travel with a little pencil case to keep all my essentials – the VS 3-in-1 makeup kit takes care of all my needs. I love compartments, clearly."

Best Lip Product
nordstrom.com

Best Lip Product

Tom Ford Lip Blush ($59)

"A lightweight lip – like Tom Ford Lip Blush, which is actually clear but when you wear it it shifts depending on your PH — or I've been loving Topicals Lip Gloss ($16)."

Best Camera
amazon.com

Best Camera

Polaroid Now+ Generation 2 - Camera + Film Bundle ($149, originally $175)

"A Polaroid camera – I love an iPhone, but there's something special and authentic about capturing a moment on a Polaroid."


Sarah Wasilak is the associate director of commerce at PS. With plenty of experience in the shopping market, a keen interest in SEO, and 10 years as an editor at the brand, she enjoys writing across the lifestyle and health-and-fitness categories. She has bylines at PS, InStyle, Elle, Refinery29, Who What Wear, Elite Daily, Byrdie, and The Quality Edit and aims to amplify minority voices in all her work.