’Tis the season to be jolly… Christmas is here, and with it comes Santa Claus, the iconic figure synonymous with the holiday season. Known for his red suit, big belly, and jolly beard, Santa has been a central character in Christmas celebrations for years. But why is Santa always seen in red and white? How did Santa, also known as Father Christmas, come to wear the red velvet suit with white fur trim, tall black boots, and a cozy pom-pom hat? Did he always wear red? Let’s delve into the fascinating history behind Santa’s distinctive look.
The Origins of Santa Claus
Santa Claus has evolved from Saint Nicholas, a Greek monk renowned for his generosity and compassion. Saint Nicholas spent his life helping the poor, vulnerable, and sick. His generosity was so legendary that December 6, the day of his death, became Nicholas’ Feast Day, celebrated with parades, gift-giving, and family meals.
Saint Nicholas’ story eventually traveled across the globe, reaching America with a twist. While the Dutch referred to him as “Sinter Klass,” the name morphed into “Santa Claus” in the United States.
Early depictions of Santa showed him in various forms. John Pintard, from the New York Historical Society, pictured him in bishop’s robes, while Washington Irving depicted him with a broad-brimmed hat, Flemish-style clothing, and a pipe.
One of the most famous descriptions of Santa Claus comes from the 1823 poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas” (commonly known as “’Twas the Night Before Christmas”). The poem presented a visual of Santa as a jolly, plump man dressed in fur from head to toe:
“He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot, And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.”
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The Red Suit: The Journey to Santa’s Iconic Look
Santa’s familiar red suit is often attributed to Thomas Nast, the Harper’s Weekly cartoonist. In 1863, Nast illustrated Santa Claus in stars and stripes, handing out presents to Union soldiers. However, it wasn’t until 1881 that Nast’s red-clad Santa truly became iconic. In this depiction, Santa wore a red buckled suit and carried a black sack of toys. The reasoning behind Nast choosing red remains unclear—some believe it linked to the original St. Nicholas, often described in red, while others argue it was simply an aesthetic choice by Nast.
Nast’s portrayal of Santa in his red suit took on political undertones. According to historians, Nast’s 1881 illustration of Santa, laden with military symbols like an army backpack and a sword, was a form of propaganda. Nast was an advocate for military pay raises and used his art to voice his support for the army during the Civil War.
As Nast’s illustrations grew in popularity, subsequent depictions of Santa Claus continued the red-suited trend, and Santa soon became universally associated with the color.
The Coca-Cola Connection
Though Coca-Cola is often credited with shaping the modern image of Santa Claus, the company did not single-handedly decide his red and white costume. However, Coca-Cola’s involvement in popularizing the red-suited Santa is undeniable.
In 1923, Coca-Cola first commissioned an unnamed artist to illustrate Santa for their holiday advertisements. But it was in 1931 that the company made the most significant contribution to Santa’s iconic look. Artist Haddon Sundblom was commissioned to create a series of Santa images for Coca-Cola’s ads, and his rendition of a cheerful Santa Claus dressed in a red suit sipping a Coca-Cola became widely recognized. Sundblom’s Santa remained a central part of Coca-Cola’s holiday campaigns until the 1960s.
Historian Gerry Bowler, author of Santa Claus: A Biography, clarified that Santa’s red-and-white costume was already established long before Coca-Cola’s involvement. Despite the widespread belief that Coca-Cola shaped Santa’s appearance, the red suit had been depicted in illustrations for decades before the 1930s.
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Santa’s Look Today
Today, Santa’s red suit is as recognizable as the man himself. Despite various depictions throughout history, the red-and-white costume that Santa wears today—thanks to Thomas Nast’s illustrations and Coca-Cola’s holiday marketing—has become the defining look of Christmas for over 100 years.
As Steve Wilkens, a theology and ethics professor, noted, “We’ve got about 100 years now, and Santa looks pretty much like the old 1931 Coca-Cola Santa.” With no significant changes to his appearance in recent years, it seems Santa’s red suit is here to stay.
The journey of Santa’s red suit is a blend of historical figures, artistic influences, and cultural evolution. From Saint Nicholas’ charitable acts to the influence of popular artists like Thomas Nast and Haddon Sundblom, Santa Claus’ iconic red suit has become a central symbol of the Christmas season. Whether it’s the historical tie to Saint Nicholas or the commercial success of Coca-Cola’s campaigns, one thing is clear: Santa’s red suit will forever be a symbol of holiday cheer.
