Dress Codes: Why Santa Claus wears a red and white suit

Why Santa Claus wears a red and white suit

Santa didn't always wear red, and in fact, his outfits, appearance and height took nearly a century to become the iconic character we recognize today.

By Jacqui Palumbo, CNN A red velvet suit, white-skinned festoon, high-black boots, a comfortable (though indulgent) cap with pompom. Santa's uniform may have some variations, from Tim Allen's out-of-service attire in “The Santa Clause”, while slowly transforming into the legendary gift delivery man, to the tight dress versions of The Plastics in “Mean Girls”, but its characteristic style is rooted in pop culture and popular imagination for longe…

Santa Claus, the Fashion Icon

Like any great fashion inspiration, the Santa suit is open to interpretation - just ask Mariah Carey.

Dress Codes: Why Santa wears a red and white suit

Santa Claus’ suit may be one of his immutable features today, but he didn’t always wear red — and his closet used to be much more expansive. The legendary gift-giver’s style is just one indicator of his elusive origins.

Colors, colors, and more colors... Christmas is all about them, but there are two classics that never disappoint: red and white. Don't be afraid of them, you won't go wrong.

How did we arrive at the Santa Claus dress code? Is it the creation of a specific company or does it follow dress code rules?