Halloween costumes ‘banned’ over time as eBay removes Jeffrey Dahmer-inspired outfit

Since the release of “Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story,” viewers of the MA-rated drama streaming on Netflix have been able to “portray” serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer by purchasing look-alike costumes on eBay and through other online marketplaces.

That was until eBay banned sales of « costumes » and/or Dahmer accessories this week, as the show gained more and more traction and Twitter users continued to react.

« These items are prohibited on eBay and are removed under our ‘Violent Crime and Violence Policy,' » an eBay spokesperson told Fox News Digital in an emailed statement Wednesday.

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« These articles were banned under the policy – this was not a new or recent decision, » the outlet also said.

As Halloween approaches, here’s a look at other costumes over the years that some retailers and US schools have banned repeatedly and for various reasons.

Costumes inspired by Jeffrey Dahmer

Twitter and TikTok users have taken to social media platforms to express their dismay at the serial killer-cannibal’s Halloween-inspired look.

Many people were outraged, with one calling the costume « a step too far. »

Another social media user said it was « not fun » to dress up as Dahmer for Halloween.

A prisoner’s suit and aviator-rimmed glasses. Many people were outraged by Dahmer’s costume idea, with one calling the Halloween costume « too far. »
(Stock)

Even Olympian Simone Biles spoke about the look on Twitter, writing on October 19 that the costume should be « put back in the closet. »

A search on eBay for the keywords « Jeffrey Dahmer costume » or « Jeffrey Dahmer Halloween costume » yields no exact matches on the site today.

‘Squid game’ costumes

In 2021, Mott Road, Enders Road and Fayetteville Elementary Schools in the Fayetteville-Manlius School District in New York banned any Halloween costumes related to the Korean horror series « Squid Game », due to the nature violence of the show.

According to multiple reports, « Squid Game » costumes were popular after the show was released on Netflix.

Netflix’s « Squid Game » is still one of the most searched-for costumes for 2022, according to the Halloween and Costume Association. Pictured are a group of people wearing pink and black « Squid Game » jumpsuits at the 48th Annual New York Village Halloween Parade on October 31, 2021.
(Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty Images)

The Fayetteville-Manlius School District, located in central New York, added the costumes to the list of prohibited costumes because some students allegedly played their own version of « Squid Game » on the playground, as Fox News Digital previously reported. .

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“Because of this activity, our principals wanted to make sure our families are aware that it would be inappropriate for any student to wear a Halloween costume from this show to school due to the potential violent messages aligned with the costume. “said the Fayetteville-Manlius school. District Superintendent Craig Tice told Fox News Digital at the time of the costume ban.

Nonetheless, « Squid Game » costumes are still available for purchase from many online and in-person retailers in 2022.

scary clown costumes

People can pretend to be clowns to entertain children at a birthday party – but in 2016 the scary clown craze had retailers such as Target pulling clown masks from its 1,800 stores and from its online shopping site.

This was after threats and pranks, according to a FOX Business report at the time.

Fox News Digital has reached out to Target to find out if any scary clown masks and/or costumes are going on sale today.

That same year, the New Haven Public School District in New Haven, Connecticut, banned clown costumes and any « symbols of terror » amid Halloween, according to The Associated Press, as also reported by Fox 5 .

« This comes amid an investigation involving police into an account on photo-sharing site Instagram, » the AP reported.

Target pulled clown masks from its shelves in 2016 after sightings of clowns were reported in more than two dozen states — leading to school closures and arrests, FOX Business reported in 2016.
(Stock)

« The account uploaded four photos showing menacing-looking clowns with captions telling several area schools to ‘be careful’ and ‘wait and see’ if the alleged threats are false, » a also reported the AP.

Child’s WWII costume

Social media users and activists have been vocal in 2020 after a costume called « WW2 Evacuee Girl Costume » went on sale.

Some people on Twitter called it an « Anne Frank costume ».

Alexandra DeVitt, spokeswoman for the New York-based Anne Frank Center for Mutual Respect, called the costume « offensive » and said it « trivialized her suffering ».

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DeVitt told Fox News Digital at the time, « There are more appropriate ways to commemorate Anne Frank’s legacy than through a Halloween costume, which is offensive and trivializes her suffering and the suffering of millions. of people during the Holocaust.

She added, « We’re thrilled the costume has been retired. »

A Target spokesperson confirmed to Fox News Digital at the time that the items were no longer for sale on its site.

« We apologize to all guests who were offended by this costume. We have removed it from Target.com and are sharing this feedback with the seller, » a company spokesperson confirmed in a statement sent by email. -mail to Fox News, as reported in September 2020. .

« We are taking this opportunity to review the process we have in place before a costume is available for purchase… »

“Additionally, we are taking this opportunity to review the process we have in place before a suit becomes available for purchase on Target.com,” the company also said in the statement.

Fox News Digital has reached out to Target for an updated comment regarding new policies on costumes that are offered for sale by outside vendors.

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The costume is currently for sale on Amazon. It seems that the main supplier is a company called Smiffy’s Inc.

Some shoppers commented on Amazon’s site, calling the outfit « insensitive » and « vulgar. » Others noted that their children wore the costume for plays set in the 1940s when children performed as Anne Frank.

Smiffy’s also has the costume for sale on its site, as does eBay.

Fox News Digital reached out to Smiffy’s, Amazon and eBay for comment on this particular suit.

Culturally insensitive or controversial costumes

Fox News Digital reported in 2018 that lingerie company Yandy had removed a costume apparently inspired by the Hulu series, « The Handmaid’s Tale, » from its site.

The show, which first aired in 2017, follows a woman named Offred (played by Elisabeth Moss), who is enslaved as a servant in the totalitarian society of Gilead. A servant’s job is to bear children – and these women are recognized by their attire of long red robes and red capes.

Yandy released a statement on Twitter following the public backlash.

« Over the past few hours, it has become apparent that our ‘Yandy Brave Red Maiden Costume’ is seen as a symbol of women’s oppression, rather than an expression of women’s empowerment, » Yandy wrote on the 21st. September 2018.

« It’s unfortunate because that was not our intention on any level, » the company added in its tweet.

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« Our initial inspiration to create the piece was witnessing its use over recent months as a powerful protest image. Given the heartfelt and sincere response, backed by many personal stories we have received, we withdraw the costume from our website. »

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Fox News Digital’s Angelica Stabile and Ann Schmidt contributed to this report.