Santa Claus Costume
Bring holiday magic to life in the classic red and white suit.
Santa Claus is the legendary figure of Christmas, beloved worldwide for bringing holiday cheer and gifts. Dressing as Santa is a timeless holiday tradition, perfect for Christmas parties, community events, and family gatherings. The iconic look features a rich red velvet suit trimmed with fluffy white faux fur, paired with a snowy white beard and black leather accents.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~20 min
- Budget
- $40–150
Try it on
See yourself as Santa Claus
One clear photo of yourself; we render you in this costume — face untouched, full body, about 20 seconds.
One render, $1. No account needed — if it fails you're not charged. Pricing.
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What you need for a Santa Claus costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Santa Claus costume — one box instead of 8 pieces.
Red velvet Santa jacket
A bright red or deep burgundy velvet jacket trimmed with thick white faux fur along the collar, cuffs, and center hem.
DIY: Trim an oversized red coat or sweatshirt with white faux fur trim using fabric glue.
Matching red velvet trousers
Loose-fitting red velvet pants with an elastic waistband for comfort.
DIY: Use loose red sweatpants or scrub pants.
Santa hat
A matching red velvet pointed hat with a white faux fur band and a fluffy white pom-pom at the tip.
DIY: Glue a white cotton ball or yarn pom-pom to the tip of a basic red cone hat.
White beard and wig set
A full, curly white synthetic beard with an elastic band, paired with a matching wavy white wig.
DIY: Glue cotton batting or white yarn strands onto a fabric mask template.
Black belt with gold buckle
A wide black faux-leather belt featuring a large, polished gold-colored metal buckle.
DIY: Cut a strip of black vinyl and wrap a cardboard buckle covered in gold foil around it.
Black boot tops or boots
Black faux-leather boot covers that slide over your regular shoes, or actual tall black boots.
DIY: Wear tall black rain boots or wrap black felt around your calves over black shoes.
White gloves
Simple, clean white cotton or nylon gloves.
DIY: Use plain white winter gloves.
Gold wire-rimmed glasses
Small, round, gold-framed reading glasses worn low on the bridge of the nose.
DIY: Pop the lenses out of cheap round sunglasses and paint the frames gold.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Santa Claus costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the red velvet trousers and pull them up comfortably.
- 2
Put on your regular shoes, then slide the black boot covers over them so they look like tall boots.
- 3
Put on the red velvet Santa jacket and button or zip it up securely.
- 4
Wrap the wide black belt around your waist, positioning the gold buckle directly in the center.
- 5
Secure the white wig on your head, then fit the elastic strap of the white beard over your ears, adjusting it around your mouth.
- 6
Place the red velvet Santa hat on your head, letting the pom-pom drape to one side.
- 7
Slip on the white cotton gloves and slide the gold wire-rimmed glasses onto the bridge of your nose.
Makeup & hair
No real hair styling is needed as the wig and beard cover everything. For makeup, apply a touch of pink or red blush to the apples of your cheeks and the tip of your nose to create a jolly, wind-chilled look.
Santa Claus for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair up with Mrs. Claus in a matching red velvet dress, white apron, and wire-rimmed glasses.
- group
- Add Christmas elves in green and red tunics, and someone dressed as Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
- kids
- A miniature version featuring a soft fleece red jumpsuit, a small Santa hat, and a lightweight felt beard.
- Plus size
- Santa's classic silhouette is naturally full; use a belly stuffer pad under the jacket if needed to fill out the suit.
- pet
- A red fleece dog coat with white trim and a tiny elastic-strap Santa hat.
Tips
- If you don't naturally have a round belly, wear a lightweight pillow or a specialty belly stuffer under your jacket.
- Carry a gold handbell or a red velvet toy sack filled with crumpled paper to use as interactive props.
- Apply spirit gum to the edges of the mustache if it keeps slipping into your mouth while talking.
- Stay hydrated; velvet suits can get very warm indoors, so wear lightweight clothing underneath.
Santa Claus costume FAQ
- What color is Santa's suit traditionally?
- Santa's suit is traditionally bright red or deep burgundy, trimmed with white faux fur, paired with a black belt and black boots.
- How do I make my Santa beard look realistic?
- Gently brush out the synthetic curls with your fingers or a wide-tooth comb, and use a light mist of hairspray to keep it in place.
- What should I wear under a Santa suit?
- Wear lightweight, moisture-wicking t-shirts and shorts, as the velvet or plush suit can trap a lot of heat.
Did you know? While early illustrations depicted Santa in various colors including green and brown, the modern image of the red-suited Santa was popularized by Thomas Nast's 19th-century illustrations and later cemented by Coca-Cola's holiday advertisements in the 1930s.