A talit inspired scarf?

[question everything]

https://www.yahoo.com/style/h-m-called-out-for-1338791775739958.html

A scarf that looks like a tallit, or Jewish prayer shawl, has made H&M the target of social media hate. The piece, which is light beige with woven black stripes, is made of acrylic and rayon and on sale for $17.99. The fringed ends are even tied together, just like tzitzit, the traditional knotted detailing. A matching poncho is also available for $34.99.

“Not cool to copy religious items and sell them as fashion accessories,” Valerie Kaye wrote on Facebook. Leslie Shotz agreed: “The scarf with a Talit is blasphemous of Jewish ritual. Shame on H&M.” Dani Klein joked that this is the scarf “women should be wearing to shul this Shabbat, you know, cuz it’s cold out.”

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The item has since been pulled from shelves and the Swedish fast-fashion retailer issued an apology. “We are truly sorry if we have offended anyone with this piece. Everyone is welcome at H&M and we never take a religious or political stand,” the company said in a statement. “Our intention was never to upset anyone. Stripes is one of the trends for this season and we’ve been inspired by this.” The item, however, is still available for purchase online. “The quantities were small and the products are no longer available in some markets. The item is currently not available in stores in Israel following a local decision of removal,” a spokesperson noted.

Funnily enough, the superstore made a similar item in 2011. It was featured in its catalog and gained attention — and subsequent derision — from Israel-based fashion bloggers, with many calling it “tallit chic.” Additionally, the brand was accused of anti-Semitism when it produced — and quickly recalled — a tank top combining the Jewish Star of David and a skull.

Yet H&M is far from the only brand to culturally appropriate from Judaism and offend many in the process. In 2014, Zara sold a striped sheriff shirt marketed toward children with a yellow star on the breast, which reminded many of the Star of David badges used by Nazis during the Holocaust to distinguish Jewish victims. Last February, Urban Outfitters was selling a tapestry that resembled concentration camp uniforms forcibly issued to gay male prisoners during World War II. Most notable is Jean Paul Gaultier’s 1993 urban streetwear collection named “Chic Rabbis,” inspired by Jewish Orthodox apparel. The book Sleeping With the Enemy: Coco Chanel’s Secret War also provides some pretty convincing evidence that Coco Chanel, the founder of the iconic French brand, was a Nazi intelligence operative and anti-Semite in addition to a master of bouclé suits and pearl necklaces.