FBS FAQ

All swimwear from Fall Bay Swim is made from fabric that is recycled from discarded ghost nets, plastic waste and consumer waste from the carpet industry. The nets are fished out of the ocean, cleaned and created into yarn. The process of making this fabric is also entirely circular - meaning fabric waste can be loaded back into the recycling system to be made back into more fabric. 

I buy my fabric rolls from my wholesaler in London and they ship it over to me at my studio where I cut and sew each piece. The fabric is super soft to the touch and durable, SPF50 and resistant to chlorine and suntan oils. 

Every piece from FBS is made by myself in my studio in South Wales. I'm based near the Gower Peninsula, Swansea, Wales. I create the prints, patterns, the construction, marketing, photography, website, shipping, I'm essentially a one woman band. I started FBS in 2018 and I'm trained in fashion, pattern making, garment construction, costume design, and costume making. Sustainability and ethicality are both at the forefront of my brand and I believe more and more people are looking for an experience rather than a cheaply made swimsuit from toxic fast fashion brands like Shein, Temu and Primark. 

I'm determined to try and change peoples opinion of handmade = lesser quality. This opinion was created by capitalism and the patriarchy to get consumers to buy more from large corporate companies in order to create more profit. (This is another huge rant that I won't start now). My products are made skilfully, sustainably and designed to last. You're also buying from one person, trying to make a living from something they are good at.

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In this digital age, more and more of us crave something deeper and more meaningful than cheaply made, unethical, toxic products. But not only to the experience of buying a product. We also crave connection, community and a reminder that not everything is made for fast fashion, exploiting workers, mainly women and children and adding to the insane mountains of waste we create everyday. 

Working with 4 way stretch is different and more challenging than your average clothing construction. Since 2018, I've developed my skills and evolved my patterns to the current industry standard (and sometimes beyond that by looking at the quality of some products). My perfectionism has served me well in that sense (hello ADHD and hyper focus behaviours!) Quality is really important to me and as someone who has always chosen quality in anything I buy, I wouldn't dream of sending someone's order off without it passing my strict protocol. Head to the reviews on the product pages to see what people have been saying.

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On each Product Page, there is a size guide with measurements in inches for each size. The sizes range from XS to XXL, and are general UK sizes but if you're unsure, find a tailors tape measurer, measure your under bust (on the ribcage just underneath your boobs), waist (slimmest part of your torso), and hips (widest part of your torso) and you're good to go! The description of each product will have a little explanation on fit. All my pieces are made with a neutral pelvic tilt, and I design my patterns with movement in mind from a female perspective. 

Yes! All my swimwear is made reversible! You get a 2 in 1 but to be honest, that's just the aesthetics. What it really means is that both sides of the fabric is cut the same shape and size meaning if you turn it inside out, it'll fit exactly as it would the right way round. Reversible swimwear simply means that both the inside and outside fabric is the same thickness, weight and stretch, therefore the fit on reversible swimwear is different to those that aren't. Reversible swimwear tends to fit closer to the body, tighter and tends to be more supportive as non-reversible swimwear has lining which is a thinner fabric than the outer layer so when you get both sides the same thickness, it's more supportive on the body. 

My suits currently fit up to medium sized cups. I have a large busted top which I will be marketing very soon which will fit larger chest sizes. Please keep an eye out for when that happens - you can sign up to the newsletter as I'll be notifying my customers. 

To keep your suit looking great and fitting well, I recommend rinsing your swimwear out with fresh water after every use, gently wringing out any excess water and hanging to dry in the shade. If your suit is quite dirty, you can pop it in the washing machine but keep the temperature low, 30 or below if your machine allows, and use a mild detergent. Don't use the dryer as the heat will degrade the fabric and elastic used inside the suit. You can also handwash your bikini in mild detergent! Always hang dry though.

I tend to make as much stock as I can for events like markets, so if I have your order already in stock, I will ship it out as soon as Im able to. Otherwise, I will make your order as soon as I'm able to. The longest wait at the moment is 2 weeks, so please order when you can. If you are in a hurry to get your suit to you asap, please send me a message to see if I can bump you to the top of the queue.

If you've checked the size chart and you're still a little unsure, I highly advise you to either send me a message on my social media or via email to double check. As it's so difficult buying from a new brand and being unsure of their sizing, I've tried to keep the sizing as general to RTW garments as possible. That being said, a medium from me might fit you differently than a medium from Billabong for example. 

I offer tracking with shipping as standard, so you will receive an email from Royal Mail with a shipping confirmation and tracking number to track your parcels progress. 

I use tissue paper to wrap your orders in, keeping the suit together in the bag for shipping. This gives your suit some protection during shipping. My mailing bags are made from compostable material which means you can put it in your compost or food waste. The mailing bags are durable and waterproof giving your suit further protection from shipping and the elements.