Urban Outfitters is known for being a trendy and overpriced boho-chic store that teens and young adults just cannot get enough of. Although I own very few of their overpriced items, I can say for certain that I will not be shopping there ever again after what I learned. Not only has Urban Outfitters been cited for stealing designs from artists, but they also continue to poke fun on sensitive topics in a tasteless way.
1. Shampoo for “suicidal hair”
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I was appalled to find that Urban Outfitters made a shampoo labeled Peachy Head ‘Shampoo For Suicidal Hair’ and if the name isn’t bad enough, just wait until you read the label: “I never knew my once beautiful hair would actually commit suicide by tossing itself off dramatic white cliffs to the rocks below.” The shampoo was made by UK brand Anatomicals and is no longer sold by Urban Outfitters, but it still being sold online.
2. A holocaust tapestry
Urban Outfitters was once again caught glamourizing a serious topic by creating a trendy gray and white striped tapestry with pink triangles. This tapestry was reminiscent of the clothing Nazis forced gay prisoners to wear in concentration camps. Given the CEO’s anti-gay agenda, the selling of this tapestry was not taken lightly.
3. A blood stained Kent State sweatshirt
In late 2014, Urban Outfitters once again crossed the line by selling a “Vintage Kent State Sweatshirt” online. The sweatshirt was splattered with blood and clearly referenced the 1970’s Kent State massacre. Only a single sweatshirt was available and it was sold.
4. Pill bottle-shaped shot glasses
Prescription drug addiction is a serious issue among teens and young adults. Given that Urban Outfitters’ target market is teens and young adults, encouraging this kind of behavior is absolutely inexcusable. They have since stopped selling the products.
5. Jewish star shirt
Urban once again created a design that was reminiscent of the Holocaust. This time it was a t-shirt with a Star of David patch similar to those that Jews were forced to wear during the Holocaust.
6. "Eat Less" t-shirt
Eating disorders have become a huge issue in the teen community and Urban Outfitters decided to glamorize the issue by creating a shirt with the words “Eat Less” on it. The shirt is no longer being sold; however, it is still horrifying to think that someone believed selling a shirt like this to teens was a good idea.
7. "Victimized" t-shirt
Urban Outfitters once again caused controversy within the Jewish community when they began to sell a shirt with a Palestinian youth carrying an assault rifle and the words “Victimized” on it. This shirt simply should never have been created.
8. "Ghettopoly"
Urban Outfitters caused create controversy in the African American community when they sold a knockoff version of Monopoly entitled "Ghettopoly". Not only was the name offensive, but so were the properties in the game.
