Santa Claus Costume
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Today’s Santa grew out of Saint Nicholas traditions and took shape in the 1800s, with illustrator Thomas Nast’s drawings doing a lot of the work. Later ads made the red suit iconic. If you’re playing Santa for kids, the details matter, because they look closely.
What Makes It Work
The suit comes first. A red jacket and pants with thick white fur trim at the cuffs, the hem and down the front. Velvet or plush looks far better than thin felt.
The belly and belt are next. A wide black belt with a big gold or silver buckle, and a pillow or belly pad underneath if you need it. Black boots, or black boot covers over your shoes, finish the lower half.
The face is what kids remember. A full white beard and mustache, a white wig, white eyebrows, the hat with its fur trim and pom-pom, a little rosy blush on the cheeks and round wire glasses. White gloves are a nice touch.
What People Get Wrong
A cheap, thin beard. Kids pull on beards and look right at them. A fuller, softer beard is the one upgrade worth paying for. Also, Coca-Cola didn’t invent the red suit. Santa was shown in red well before its famous ads, which just helped lock the look in.
Buy It or Build It?
Basic Santa suits run about $30 to $70. Deluxe velvet suits with a quality beard run about $100 to $250, and they last for years if you play Santa every December.
Where to Buy
| Retailer | What they carry | |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | Costume kits, wigs and accessories | Shop on Amazon |
FAQ
Where did Santa's red suit come from?
Illustrators showed Santa in red well before the 1930s. Coca-Cola ads starting in 1931 helped make that look the standard.
How do I keep a Santa beard from slipping?
Use a beard with a strap that hooks over the ears, and add a little spirit gum or toupee tape at the cheeks.
Does a Santa suit need padding?
It helps the suit hang right. A belly pad or a pillow under the jacket, held in place by the belt, works well.
What goes with a Santa costume for couples?
Mrs. Claus, an elf or a reindeer.
Next up: Elf Costume
See Also
Free: The Last-Minute Costume Cheat Sheet
Ten costumes you can make tonight, mostly from your own closet. One page, printable, plus a short email before each costume season. No spam.