Social media users are reporting injuries linked to long, wide-legged trousers from Zara, prompting discussions about fashion design and safety.

A pair of £25.99 wide-legged trousers from the retailer Zara has gained the nickname “Zara death pants” on social media. Users have shared videos and accounts of tripping over the long fabric, resulting in injuries such as fractured knees, bruised limbs, and broken fingernails. Despite the online attention regarding these safety concerns, the trousers remain a bestseller for the brand.

Design and Sizing Concerns

Zara describes the trousers as having a "loose fit" and being "longer than usual," with a size small measuring 108cm and a size large measuring 109cm. Tailor Ruby Slevin noted that trip hazards often stem from the length of the in-seam not being proportional to the wearer. Slevin explained that many high-street brands use fit models who are typically around 178cm tall, which is significantly taller than the UK national average height for women of 162.5cm.

Medical Perspective on Fashion Injuries

Physiotherapist Lucy McDonald stated that she has treated various injuries, including fractures and ligament tears, caused by clothing that restricts movement or balance. She noted that common fall-related injuries include fractured wrists and torn ligaments. McDonald advised consumers to avoid wearing items that increase the risk of falling, noting that recovery from such injuries can take between six weeks and nine months.

Historical Context of Impractical Fashion

Fashion historian Virginia Hill noted that impractical or hazardous clothing has a long history, citing the 1910 hobble skirt as an example of restrictive design. The report also highlighted past incidents involving fashion-related injuries, such as model Abbey Lee Kershaw tearing a ligament in 2009 and model Lindsey Wixson taking a career break in 2017 due to injuries sustained during her work.