Zara Removed a Children's Outfit After Criticism Over Its Resemblance to Concentration Camp Prisoners' Uniforms — Jerusalem Post
The Spanish retailer Zara removed a children’s Halloween costume from its website after social media users pointed out its resemblance to the prison uniforms worn by inmates in Nazi concentration camps, according to the Jerusalem Post.
Criticism on Social Media
The costume was a gray-and-blue set with vertical stripes, a cardigan, and shorts. In the product description, Zara noted that the item featured decorative stitching, a flower on the lapel, and a distressed look. After it was removed, the product page was still appearing in Google’s index.
The outfit resembled the costume worn by the main character in the 1988 film *Beetlejuice* and its 2024 sequel, *Beetlejuice Beetlejuice*. At the same time, users claimed that the vertical stripes and shiny crisscrossing elements—which some media outlets described as imitations of stitched-up scars—evoked associations with the clothing worn byconcentration camp prisoners and barbed wire in photographs from World War II.
According to the archived version of the ad, the outfit cost $59.90 in the U.S. In Europe, criticism of the outfit began on Tuesday, and the following day, photos of the ensemble were shared on X by Israeli journalist Dov Gil-Har, activist Gen Mazig, and other users.
For more breaking news, follow the UA.News Telegram channel.
The company did not explain its decision
By Wednesday afternoon, the product page was no longer accessible. It is unknown exactly when Zara removed the listing. The company did not explain the reasons for this decision, did not publicly comment on the controversy, and did not respond to a request from the Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
Previous controversies
This is not the first time Zara has faced a similar situation. In 2007, the company recalled a bag from its stores after a swastika was discovered embroidered on it. In 2014, Zara apologized for a blue-and-white striped shirt featuring yellow six-pointed stars on the chest, stopped selling it, and destroyed the remaining stock.
Gideon Taylor, president of the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, stated in a letter to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency that the recurrence of such incidents highlights the need for Holocaust education.
Separately, UA.News reported on how to put together a complete outfit for a child for a wedding, birthday, christening, or other special occasion using items from the collections featured at Leo Kids.
