Halloween is just around the corner again, and as every year, costumes are taking center stage. News stories from recent weeks have ranged from product recalls due to their symbolism to surveys on the most popular costume choices and last-minute outfit solutions.
In Spain and the rest of Europe, one of the most talked-about issues involves a well-known fashion chain. The controversy has forced them to intervene in their online catalog and has reopened the debate about how far creativity can go when playing with sensitive historical references.
Zara controversy: a children's costume recalled in Europe
Zara sold a children's outfit on its European website, marketed as a groom costume for Halloween, for €39,99. The two-piece set, a top and shorts, featured a gray and blue color scheme with vertical stripes, a flower at the neck, and a distressed finish.
The proposal quickly generated backlash. Many users pointed out its resemblance to the clothing worn by Jewish prisoners in Nazi concentration camps . Some people also interpreted certain elements of the pattern as a possible reference to the barbed wire that surrounded those camps.
The criticism spread across social media, and the company eventually removed the item from sale. Zara has not issued any public explanation for what happened, but the incident has made it clear that costumes can become a sensitive issue when they intersect with historical memory.
Trends: Fewer people plan to dress up, and the options are getting boring.
Across the Atlantic, a Talker Research poll of 2.000 people in the United States indicates a decline in interest. 76% do not plan to dress up , and 77% do not intend to attend a Halloween party.
Generation Z and millennials show a 10% greater willingness to participate than other age groups. Even so, 68% agree that age shouldn't be a barrier to wearing a costume, so the celebration continues to appeal to very diverse audiences.
Part of this disinterest could be explained by weariness with the most overused costumes. 75% believe that some options have been done to death . Leading the list are the sexy version of any character (29%), the pirate (25%), and the Joker (22%). Cowboys, Harley Quinn, hippies, and the Minions are also mentioned as costumes that many would prefer not to see again.
Some opt for something simple yet festive, like a Halloween-themed t-shirt or a pumpkin. And, despite the statistics, 68% maintain that you're never too old to dress up , an idea that encourages people to keep looking for original costumes.
Last-minute ideas: movies, TV series, and group costumes
If time is running out, one option is to dig out a red cocktail dress and practice Emily Blunt's alien-like clicks to transform into Margaret Fairchild, the meteorologist from Steven Spielberg's intriguing science fiction film . It's a successful alternative for those who don't want to overcomplicate things.
For Colin Firth's sinister character, a navy suit can be paired with a black turtleneck sweater. The unsettling touch is added by striking contact lenses , a transparent mouthguard, and several fake brainwave monitors placed on the forehead.
The story of Camp Miasma offers several paths. Little Death, played by Jack Haven, demands a dirty jumpsuit, a mesh helmet, and a long spear. Billy Presley, Gillian Anderson's character, moves through the glamour of classic Hollywood: low-cut, 1940s-style dresses, silk robes, and a bejeweled turban or wide-brimmed felt hat . Kris, Hannah Einbinder's filmmaker, opts for a tiny pink top and baggy pajama pants covered in fake blood for Halloween.
In groups, pirates, pumpkins in orange sweaters with black details, vampire clans, ghosts in sunglasses, or circus characters all work well. Another option is to recreate characters from movies and TV shows: Scooby-Doo, the Minions from Despicable Me, Monsters, Inc., or Alvin and the Chipmunks . On social media, Pinterest has become a common source of inspiration.
Festivals and competitions where costumes take center stage in Spain
In Zamora, the San José Obrero Neighborhood Association has organized a Halloween afternoon at the La Josa pavilion on Saturday, October 31st. Doors will open at 5:00 PM , and free inflatable attractions will be available from then on. A children's costume parade will take place at 17:30 PM, followed by an adult costume contest at 18:30 PM. Hot chocolate will be served afterward at 19:00 PM. The day will also include special bingo games, music, and a bar. Admission is €3 for children and association members and €20 for non-members.
In Boadilla del Monte, the program kicks off on October 10th with a pumpkin decorating workshop at Dulces Margaritas, from 11:00 AM to 13:00 PM, for €65 and with limited spaces available. On the morning of October 31st, "Terrifyingly Terrifying," a family activity involving makeup, characterization, and accessory making, is scheduled from 10:00 AM to 14:00 PM. Registration opens on October 6th at juventudboadilla.org.
In the evening, the Fairgrounds will host the 0,0º Youth Tent, an alcohol-free event for 14- to 17-year-olds, featuring a DJ, from 9:00 PM to midnight. Tickets will be available from October 19th at entradasboadilla.es. Additionally, the Palacio del Infante don Luis will celebrate the Day of the Dead on October 31st and November 1st, with a Day of the Dead altar, the legend of La Llorona, and an exhibition of Mexican art. Admission will be free until capacity is reached, although the schedule has not yet been announced.
Halloween season is once again all about costumes, but it's not without its ups and downs. There are controversies leading to product recalls, surveys showing a certain weariness with the trend, and plenty of ideas for those who decide to dress up . In Spain, city councils and associations are also organizing parades, contests, and workshops so that children, teenagers, and adults can find their place on one of the most anticipated nights of autumn.