FAQs

Our website will remain live for purchases until midnight 31st December 2024 or whilst stocks last. If you are thinking of purchasing something we recommend doing so promptly as we will not be restocking any sizes or styles.

Any items bought online before 1st December 2024 can be returned as usual (you have 14 days from point of delivery to return the item to our warehouse.)

All orders placed on and after 1st December 2024 are Final Sale and not eligible for return or refund. This will be made very clear to you on the product page and throughout our website. Our items are significantly discounted to reflect this.

From 1st December 2024 we cannot accept items that have been sent back to us so please do not attempt to return items to us – you may be charged by your chosen courier for this.

Regrettably, from 1st November 2024, we can no longer receive items for repair - this is based on allowing sufficient time to make the repair and return the item to you.

Regrettably, from 1st November 2024, we can no longer receive old swimwear to be recycled.

Regrettably, from 1st November 2024, we can no longer offer this service - this is based on allowing sufficient time to receive the item into our production studio, amend and customise the item appropriately and return it to you.

Discount codes are only available for use on full priced products.

Yes, gift vouchers and credit notes can continue to be used on the website until 31st December 2024.

Yes, we are honouring the profit agreements we have in place with two incredible organisations: Mental Health Swims and The Body Happy Org. We will continue to donate £15 from the sale of the Vitamin Sea Suit to Mental Health Swims and from sales of the Body Happy Suit to The Body Happy Org.

All our swimwear is available to buy online and at our pop-up events. We offer free UK delivery (on orders over £100) so you can try on in the comfort of your home (say goodbye to horrible fitting room lights!) and exchange your item for a different size if needed. We recommend taking a look at our sizing guide to help you pick the perfect swimsuit for your size and shape.

Yes please. We ask you to keep your underwear on when trying on your swimwear the first time so that we can easily exchange it if the sizing isn't perfect.

Hygiene stickers in the crotch area of swimsuits and bikinis are typically made from plastic that goes straight into landfill. We prefer not to use these single use plastic items as it significantly contributes to the plastic footprint of our products. Instead we ask all customers to keep their knickers on when trying an item on for the first time and until they are happy with the garment. 

Absolutely – we use a stay-stitch to attach rubber and elastic to our seams before seaming them. As a result you may hear the stay stitches pulling when you pop your swimwear on. Don't panic! This isn't the suit ripping and is completely normal.

Our suits are designed to fit like a second skin and feel safe and secure swim after swim.

The material will give slightly when wet so it's important that when you first try your swimsuit on it fits snugly.

If you're unsure about the fit and our sizing, please get in touch for tailored advice from our team.

Our reversible items come with brand and care labels gently tacked into a side seam. These contain key information relating to the size and care instructions for the garment. Once you've tried the item on and are happy that the fit works for you, you can gently remove the label with a pair of scissors. (It's been designed to easily cut away). 

There certainly is! In fact our team swear by two good options. Please see the below video demonstrations for two possible ways to do the zip up easily, on your own.

Option 1 - https://www.youtube.com/shorts/1UGCYlwHs7U

Option 2 - https://www.youtube.com/shorts/zpNKATckP68

We offer three curve sizes for every dress size so that you can pick a size best suited to your body shape.

The Hepburn is designed for AA-B cup busts, the Monroe is for C-E cup busts and the Hendricks for F-HH cup busts.

Simply combine your dress size and curve size to calculate your D&B size. For more information see our detailed sizing guide.

Ideally we'd like you to try both on to see which fits best as no two bodies are the same. However, if you are between sizes (for example between a 12 and a 14 then we tend to recommend going up a size.

We do not offer different swimsuit lengths, however, our curve size system allows us to cater for a range of body shapes and sizes.

If you are long in the body we recommend sizing up in the dress size, but down in the curve size. e.g. If you wear a size 14 and a D cup bra you would normally order our 14 Monroe. However, if you are particularly long in the body, we would recommend ordering a size 16 Hepburn (up a dress size, down a curve size).

If you are shorter in the body, we recommend ordering a smaller curve size to reduce the overall body length of the suit. For example, if you wear a size 14 and a D cup bra you would normally order a 14 Monroe. However, if you are short in the body we would advise you order a size 14 Hepburn (same dress size, one curve size smaller).

There is variation in swimsuit length throughout our range and we endeavour to provide a range of styles and shapes to suit every body.

For further assistance or advice on what may work best for you please contact Sadie on hello@deakinandblue.com.

For swimsuits, if you are long in the body we recommend sizing up in the dress size, but down in the curve size. e.g. If you wear a size 14 and a D cup bra you would normally order our 14 Monroe. However, if you are particularly long in the body, we would recommend ordering a size 16 Hepburn (up a dress size, down a curve size).

For bikinis, this won’t affect your sizing at all - simply order as usual.

At D&B we believe we have something for everyone.

If you are shorter in the body, we recommend ordering a smaller curve size to reduce the overall body length of the suit. For example, if you wear a size 14 and a D cup bra you would normally order a 14 Monroe. However, if you are short in the body we would advise you order a size 14 Hepburn (same dress size, one curve size smaller).

If you know you are shorter in the body we recommend the X-Back Swimsuit which has a slightly shorter body length. Order your usual size.

We don't have padding in any of our suits or bikinis as padding (which is foam based) tends to absorb water and become misshapen over time. As a result your swimsuit or bikini would become unwearable within a few wears.

We also do not add underwire as wire corrodes in water, becoming misshaped and uncomfortable.

Instead we use clever seaming and panelling to provide shape and lift to your bust.

As a result our swimsuits and bikinis are super secure and provide shape, support and lift - and will continue to do so for many wears!

A number of our customers have had single or double mastectomies and have enjoyed wearing our swimwear. Our fabric is incredibly soft and offers shape and comfort around your chest area.

We are able to sew pockets in to most of our suits and bikinis for customers who wear a prosthesis. High necked designs tend to be best suited to this. We offer this service free of charge. 

Please do read more about our adaptation service for women who have had mastectomies.

For more information or to organise having a pocket added, or to ask about styles we can do this to, please get in touch with the team at hello@deakinandblue.com.

Sadly no. All purchased can be made via the website only.

Really sorry about that! Our emails can sometimes find their way into your spam folders. Please double check there for the email which will contain your 10% first order discount code. If you still don't find the email, please get in touch with us via hello@deakinandblue.com and we'll get that sorted for you!

The 10% discount when you join our mailing list is available on all full priced items. No sale items are included in this offer.

No problem at all. Please just drop us a quick note (via hello@deakinandblue.com) to let us know your order number, name and discount code and we'll process that for you so that you are refunded the value of your discount. 

We accept payment on our website by Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Delta/Connect, Maestro and Paypal. We also accept payment with Deakin and Blue Gift Cards.  If you're buying from us at an event or pop-up we also accept cash.  If you're having trouble with payment, please do give us a call and we can take payment over the phone.

Redeem your Deakin and Blue Gift Voucher by entering the voucher code into the box indicated at the checkout.

We can't currently deduct VAT automatically when you place an order from Jersey. However, if your billing and shipping address are both in Jersey or another VAT exempt territory please place the order as usual and email us at hello@deakinandblue.com with your order number. We'll refund you the VAT. 

Absolutely, please email your request to hello@deakinandblue.com

You can contact us by email at hello@deakinandblue.com or by giving us a call on 020 3417 8082.

We aim to respond to all email queries within 48 hours (and usually much quicker). We are also contactable via Facebook messenger and Instagram direct message.

We can be reached on 020 3417 8082 between Monday and Friday 9am-5pm.

New products are added to our website on a regular basis. If you want to be kept informed of our new products, please sign up to our newsletter.

Thank you in advance for leaving us a review!

Your comments and feedback are invaluable to us as a small brand. If you have a problem or reason for concern please do email us first (at hello@deakinandblue.com) as we may be able to help you resolve the issue.

Otherwise, we will get in touch with you by email about six weeks after your purchase to ask for your review which gets added to our website. You can also leave us a review on either Facebook or on Google - these platforms are really useful for us and help new customers find us and trust us. Thank you very much!

We can post our swimwear to you anywhere in the world. In the UK all deliveries are free (on orders over £100), outside of the UK there is a postage fee. Please also be aware that an international shipment may be subject to customs duties and inspections. We recommend you contact your local customs office for further information as customs policies vary from country to country. More information about our delivery services can be found here.

We hope that you will love your new swimwear.

However, until 1st December 2024, if you do not, we are happy to refund or exchange any items you have purchased within 14 days of you receiving your order. You will find a freepost returns label in the top right hand corner of your order invoice.

Please note we can only accept returned items
that are unworn. We cannot accept items that have been worn (even briefly) in
water.

For more details on how to return your item please see our Returns policy.

Please note that orders placed on and after 1st December 2024 are Final Sale and are not eligible for return or refund.

Firstly - we're really sorry to hear that. We never want you to receive a less than perfect item but these things can happen from time to time. If you receive an item that you believe is faulty please contact us via hello@deakinandblue.com and let us know what you think is wrong. We'll liaise with you to either repair or replace the item or, if we can't, we'll refund it in full.

UK returns are sent using our Freepost returns label. As a rule we do allow up to 14 working days for it to
reach us. However it very rarely takes this long.

We are a small team and we do
our best to process your returns and exchanges as promptly as we can once they are received back to our warehouse.

Once your return has been processed you will receive email notification and refunds take up to 5 working days to appear back in your account.

All our products have detailed care guidelines on the labels. As a rule we recommend thoroughly rinsing your swimwear after every use in cool water and hanging out to dry. Pop in the machine on 40° every 2-3 uses and after every swim in chlorine. Do not bleach, iron or tumble dry. For more details on caring for your swimwear, please see our Wear and Care page.

All our swimwear is designed and manufactured in East London, UK.

All our swimwear is made of a super soft, high quality Italian Lycra® made from a regenerated yarn called ECONYL®. ECONYL® is made from regenerated post-consumer waste such as spent fishing nets and industrial plastic scraps. We select fabrics which offer durability, structure and support - as well as feeling comfortable on. So when you buy a swimsuit from us, not only do you feel great but the oceans are getting cleaned up, too!

Regrettably, from 1st November 2024, we can no longer receive items for repair - this is based on allowing sufficient time to make the repair and return the item to you.

Regrettably, from 1st November 2024, we can no longer receive items for our Swimcycle scheme.

Good news! A number of our swimsuits and bikinis are CSA accredited which means they have been approved for swimming across the channel and other marathon swims. In fact, we are already aware of a number of our customers having swum the channel in D&B cossies. (See amazing Hildi here.)

Swimwear is not allowed to be used for a channel swim when it has sleeves, when it comes down beyond the crotch (i.e. has shorts or legs attached) or if it is made from a fabric which offers additional thermal qualities.

As a result, the only D&B swimwear not eligible for ratified channel swims is:

1. Our Long Sleeve Swimsuit (because of the long sleeve)

2. Any of our swimsuits made from bonded Lycra (as these pieces offer additional warmth and bouyancy). The swimsuits made from bonded Lycra are our Signature Swimsuit in Black, Navy and Cobalt, and our Essential Swimsuit in Black and Cobalt.

All other bikinis and swimsuits have been confirmed for use in swimming the channel.

If you have any questions or want further clarification, please get in touch with us - hello@deakinandblue.com.

D&B Deadstock Designs are made from deadstock or waste fabric from the fashion industry. We source this fabric from other fashion brands and manufacturers who no longer need the fabric and are planning to dispose of it. By intervening we save this fabric from going to landfill.

Great question. At D&B we consider our impact on the planet in everything we do. Using deadstock fabric (which would otherwise go to landfill) is definitely a sustainable choice as it is extending the life of fabric, and reducing the waste generated from the fashion industry.

The deadstock fabrics used to create this new range are sourced from a range of suppliers and brands. Many are not made from eco-yarns like our core range. However, this doesn't mean that these products aren't being made sustainably or with consideration of the planet.

We offer the same year-round aftercare on this new range including our repair service and Swimcycle scheme, to help you to maintain and care for your swimwear.

The Swimcycle scheme, in particular means that, at the end of your swimsuit or bikinis life, we can recycle the garment for you. This process regenerates and recycles the yarns used to make your swimwear. So even if it isn't made from an eco-yarn now, it can become one, in the future.

No, none of the D&B Deadstock Designs are made from bonded fabric. All are made from single layer stretch fabric, and lined for additional warmth, support and comfort. For bonded styles - check out our Signature Swimsuit and Essential Swimsuit.

Firstly, this sounds like an exciting adventure! A number of D&B customers are certified channel swimmers - welcome to the club!

Swimwear is not allowed to be used for a channel swim when it has sleeves, when it comes down beyond the crotch (i.e. has shorts or legs attached) or if it is made from a fabric which offers additional thermal qualities.

Therefore, all of the Deadstock Designs swimsuits and bikinis are eligible to be worn for ratified channel swims. Good luck!

If you have any questions or want further clarification, please get in touch with us - hello@deakinandblue.com.

Yes.

We recommend thoroughly rinsing your swimsuit after every swim and hanging it out to dry. Pop it in the machine on 40° every 2-3 uses and after every swim in chlorine.

Do not bleach, iron or tumble dry. For more details on caring for your swimwear, please see our Wear and Care page.