Shoppers have criticised Zara over a children's Halloween costume they say resembles clothing worn by Auschwitz prisoners.
The high street retailer was selling a Kids' Halloween Groom Costume for £39.99, described as a "children’s costume with vertical stripe design, decorative topstitching, lapel flower and distressed effect."
The outfit, made from cotton and polyester, includes a cardigan and shorts in grey and blue.
Critics said the vertical stripes, faded finish, and overall design bore a striking resemblance to concentration camp uniforms from the Holocaust, with some also claiming the pattern resembled barbed wire.
One shopper wrote: "How do you think this is going, Zara?"
Another said: "If this is true, I hope nobody, and I mean NOBODY, ever buys anything from Zara again."
A third commented that if the chain wanted to "finish" a costume a grandfather had worn in Auschwitz, "only a number still needs to be added."
Not all feedback was negative, with some pointing out that the design looked similar to the black-and-white striped suit worn by fictional character Beetlejuice.
Naomi Mestrum, director of the Centre for Information and Documentation Israel, acknowledged the offence but did not believe the design was intentional.
Ms Mestrum said: "I have a lot of understanding for the people reacting with indignation.
"Let this be a lesson for Zara.
"If you yourself do not carry that painful history, you make the association less quickly.
"I think the average person walking through Zara will not notice this so quickly."
The retailer has faced similar controversies in the past.
In 2014, Zara withdrew a children’s striped top featuring a star badge after shoppers compared it to concentration camp uniforms.
In 2007, the company pulled a handbag from sale due to embroidery that critics said resembled swastikas.
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A customer who complained about the latest costume was reportedly told: "Sincere apologies for the inconvenience.
"We are aware and have passed this on internally to address as quickly as possible."
As of this morning, the costume could no longer be found on Zara’s UK website.
The company has not yet issued a public statement regarding the incident.
Newsquest have contacted Zara for a comment.
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