Have you ever thought about why Santa Claus, the jolly gift-giver, is always seen in red and white? It might surprise you to learn that this wasn’t always his go-to outfit. Over time, Santa's look has been influenced by different factors, with one of the biggest being St. Nicholas, the real-life figure who typically donned red robes and helped shape the Santa we know today. Let’s dive into how the iconic image of Santa in his red suit has evolved through the years.

What’s the origin of Santa’s appearance?

Santa Claus has some interesting origins, coming from a mix of different figures like the Dutch Sinterklaas, the French Père Noël with his hooded look, and the German Christkindl, who was basically a gift-giving Baby Jesus. Historical records and stories show that the Santa we know today started to develop in the 1820s, thanks to poetry, illustrations in magazines, and various ads.

The classic image of Santa Claus as a bearded guy in fur, zooming around in a sleigh pulled by reindeer really took off after the 1823 poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas" by Clement Clarke Moore. There was also an earlier poem from 1821 that first called him 'Santeclaus.' Back in the day, Santa was often shown as a tiny, playful character. For instance, an illustration from 1864 had him in a yellow outfit and fur hat, while an oil painting from 1837 showed him in a red cape lined with fur, according to CNN.

Different portrayals of Santa have popped up over the years. For instance, a 1850 ad by PT Barnum for singer Jenny Lind depicted him as a beardless figure from the Revolutionary War. Then, in 1902, the cover of L. Frank Baum's The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus featured him in a dark coat with animal print fur trim and striking red boots. Thomas Nast played a key role in defining Santa's look.

Santa's classic look has been shaped by global influences

In 1863, during the Civil War, he depicted Santa wearing stars and stripes while handing out gifts to Union soldiers. His most iconic illustration, made in 1881, featured Santa in a red suit with a buckle, resembling the Santa we recognize today. Over time, the original political message about backing military pay has been lost, as pointed out by the Smithsonian. Nast, who contributed to Harper's Weekly, also played a role in turning the donkey into a symbol for Democrats and the elephant for Republicans.

Artists like Norman Rockwell and J.C. Leyendecker carried on the tradition started by Thomas Nast, showcasing Santa in his classic red suit for The Saturday Evening Post during the early 1900s. In his 1988 book, The Battle for Christmas, historian Stephen Nissenbaum takes a closer look at the common belief that Santa's roots are tied to the Dutch Sinterklaas. Figuring out where Santa's style comes from is a bit complicated since it pulls from a mix of influences around the world. For instance, his hat has connections to the ancient Phrygian cap and the papal camauro, but it has evolved into a distinct and essential part of who he is.

Coca-Cola’s influence on Santa’s style

In 1931, Coca-Cola brought on artist Haddon Sundblom to design Santa Claus images for their holiday ads. Sundblom's Santa, with his rosy cheeks, fluffy white beard, sparkling eyes, and cheerful smile, perfectly captured a sense of warmth and friendliness.

Fun fact: the model Sundblom used for Santa was actually a retired salesman and a personal buddy of his. This depiction became super popular and helped shape the modern Santa image we all know today. Historian Gerry Bowler, who wrote Santa Claus: A Biography, points out that while many think Coca-Cola created Santa's red-and-white outfit, that's not the case. That classic look had been around for decades before.

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