Zara withdraws children's Halloween costume following Nazi imagery criticism

The Spanish fashion retailer Zara has withdrawn a children's Halloween costume from its stores and online platforms following widespread criticism. The outfit, consisting of a blue and white striped jacket and trousers, was flagged by critics for its resemblance to the uniforms worn by prisoners in Nazi concentration camps.

Observers noted that the clothing featured a worn appearance, patterns reminiscent of barbed wire, and patches on the sleeves that resembled prisoner identification numbers. Israeli journalist Dov Gil-Har criticized the design on social media, describing it as a “nightmarish idea.”

In response, Zara Home expressed regret for any “misunderstanding” the costume may have caused but did not provide an explanation as to why the design was not caught during internal quality controls. This incident marks a recurring issue for the Inditex-owned brand, which previously faced backlash in 2014 for a striped shirt featuring a yellow star and in 2007 for a bag featuring swastikas.