frequently asked questions
Carousel is building something totally new, and new things inspire a lot of questions. The most common ones are answered below.
about the clothes
what brands will I get?
Our inventory includes a broad range of styles from everyday brands like Carter's and Gap.
Because we source in NYC, we also get cool pieces from brands all over the world!
We also have gems from premium brands like Hanna Andersson that you're most likely to receive with a custom capsule.
what condition are the clothes in?
Most pieces are in "Very Good" condition, which means no stains, rips or excessive wear. In other words, most items look like they were worn and washed a few times but have a lot of love left to give.
Some items are in "Excellent" condition i.e. new with tags or appear to be brand new.
A very small portion of our inventory may have a small, hidden stain because the garment is a fantastic style we couldn't pass up, in otherwise very good condition.
how do you handle sizing?
Styles are included with the size that matches their actual dimensions. When in doubt, we'll choose a larger vs. smaller size.
Styles that have broad size ranges, i.e. 4-5T are typically included in the orders of the smaller size.
European brands often run small and are included with the next smallest size. Same for toddler and kids' pajamas.
how do you handle seasonality?
When you order a custom capsule, you can specify which categories you'd like to receive.
Surprise capsules will include items meant for the current season. Capsules ordered in transitional months will typically have a mix of the current and upcoming season.
Some items are considered truly year-round, like t-shirts, onesies and sweatshirts.
For the most part, items with strong style cues related to a particular season or holiday (like acorns for fall) will be included in the 1 - 2 months leading up to that holiday.
can I request natural fibers?
Yes! This is an option for custom capsules that you can indicate in your Style Quiz.
Please note that if you request swimwear or sports gear, those are not made with natural fibers.
Note that all first layers in our baby capsules are all natural, too.
are the clothes clean?
Similar to a regular children's resale shop, I ask that all items traded in be washed.
At this time I also thrift some of Carousel's inventory. I wash these items with a gentle, fragrance-free detergent before adding them to inventory.
In other words, capsule contents can be worn straight out of the box if you like!
do you have a gender neutral option?
For Baby Capsules, yes. If you purchase a gender neutral capsule, it would be super helpful for me if you give more detail about what that means to you in the open field. Neutral can mean different things to different people.
For Kids Capsules, not formally. I really want to, but the reality is that most children's clothing does have gender cues. It's not guaranteed, but you can absolutely use the open field of the Style Quiz to let me know what neutral styles you'd love to see in your order and I'll do my best to accommodate.
can I get a different size on top and bottom?
Sure thing! As long as those sizes are in stock.
For Custom Capsules, note this when you take the Style Quiz.
For Surprise Capsules, note this in the "Order special instructions" field in your cart.
about the style quiz
why do I have to prioritize style vs fiber?
Because that is the actual choice every person must make when shopping for clothing today, new or used, child or adult.
If you select "Style," I will choose items that are the very best match for your other selections. You will receive items that have a blend of fibers, including potentially some that are majority natural fibers.
Note that I don't accept any styles with greater than 40% manmade fibers.
If you select "Natural Fibers," I will choose items that match your other selections well and are also made with the highest percentage of cotton possible, typically 95% - 100% for first layers.
Note that first layers for Baby Capsules are all 100% cotton or close to it, so if you select natural fibers I will try to get as close to 100% as possible for all items selected, including second layers like sweaters and sweatshirts.
Also note that categories like swimwear and sports gear are always made with polyester or otherwise.
A
can I see visuals of the style options?
Yes! Click the shoppable Highlights on Instagram, which I've started tagging by style to give you a better sense.
You can also be more specific about what you do and don't like in the open field of the quiz.
can I ask for something specific?
Kind of.
Specific requests are usually fine if they are common—for example, "we love stripes" or "my daughter is into flowers" or when given in multiples, i.e. "would love some overalls or rompers!"
If there is something specific you really want, you can always DM me on Instagram or send me a note here to check if I have it in stock.
about the experience
will we like the styles we receive?
I am doing everything in my power to ensure it. One of the key aspects of Carousel's mission is to make circular kidswear more fun! I'm going for smiles all around when you open your capsule.
Here's some more detail:
For starters, every item in Carousel's inventory has been accepted because it's got good style.
For those less concerned with the details, Surprise Capsules now make that a super high-value selection to make.
For those who want to be more specific about what's in their box, I'm constantly working to perfect the Style Quiz as a way to succinctly get at what you'll love.
And now you can shop Instagram Highlights directly to select pieces for your capsule, or just see what the Style Quiz "vibe" options mean in real life.
Last thing, capsule pricing is set in such a way that your order feels like amazing value, knowing that some pieces will go on to be top faves and others may fall into the everyday essentials category.
do you offer returns or exchanges?
We will do our best to make sure you are satisfied with your purchase.
If there is an item in your order that does not work based on size or condition, please let us know within 7 days of receiving your order, and we'll provide a bonus item the next time you shop.
If you are unsatisfied with your bundle, you can exchange it for a new one or for merchandise credit. Please reach out within 10 days of receiving your order so we know to expect your return.
about the company
who works for Carousel?
As of now, just me, Jessica, the founder!
I do absolutely everything, from sourcing the clothes to styling the capsules, posting the Instagram content and all that administrative stuff, too.
what is Carousel's mission?
To keep great children's clothing in circulation and out of the landfill, by making it easier and more fun for parents like you to shop and trade preloved.
Carousel is a social enterprise, meaning that the end goal is not to maximize profits for shareholders but to maximize positive impact on the environment and the community.
The vision is a future where no children's clothing is ever trashed. Garments are created better, preserved longer and multiple options exist to repair, reuse and recycle styles that have played their last playdate.
is it really sustainable?
I make every decision related to running the business in a way that maximizes Carousel's positive impact on its community and our planet.
All clothing that I come in contact with is sorted to serve its next highest purpose, whether it be reuse, redesign or recycling.
I minimize the use of plastic overall, which is one of the main reasons Carousel capsules are packed in boxes instead of bags. There are a few exceptions, like the bins used to store inventory.
Many operational resources are bought or found secondhand, like my used direct thermal label printer and storage fixtures found on Marketplace.
When transporting inventory, whether incoming clothing or capsules for delivery, I walk, bike or use public transportation as much as possible.