Pose & style reference · Outfits and accessories
Christmas outfit
Also called: Santa outfit, Christmas costume, Santa dress, サンタコス
In short
A Christmas outfit in costume and character art is usually based on Santa Claus: red fabric, white fur trim, a black belt and a pointed red hat with a white pompom. Variations include Santa dresses, elf costumes in green, reindeer antler headbands and cosy knit sweaters with winter patterns.
Reference photos
Photos are shown from mfan8.com with credit to the photographers and models. Tap a photo to open the full set.
Where the Santa look comes from
The image of Santa Claus in a red, fur-trimmed suit was shaped by 19th-century illustrations and later advertising, and it is now recognised almost everywhere. Its few parts are what make any outfit read as Christmas: red and white, soft fur edges and the floppy hat.
In anime and games, Christmas outfits appear in holiday episodes and seasonal events, giving familiar characters a festive limited-time look.
Christmas outfit variations
- Classic Santa suit: red coat and trousers, white fur at the cuffs, hem and front, black belt and boots.
- Santa dress: a red dress with fur trim, often with a capelet or hood and a petticoat for volume.
- Mrs. Claus style: longer red dress, apron, shawl and glasses.
- Elf costume: green tunic with red accents, pointed collar, striped tights, curled shoes, a hat with a bell.
- Reindeer: brown or beige outfit with antler headband and a red nose for comedy.
- Winter knit: patterned sweater with snowflakes or reindeer, scarf, earmuffs and mittens.
How to draw Christmas outfits
Fur trim is the signature. Draw it as a thick, soft band with a bumpy, irregular edge instead of a clean line, and keep it a little wider than you think. Shade it with soft grey-blue in the shadows so it does not look like plain white paper.
The Santa hat is a cone that flops over to one side under its own weight, ending in a round pompom; the band at the bottom wraps around the head and sits over the hair. Add small props for story: a gift box, a sack, candy canes, bells or a wreath. Red is strong, so balance it with plenty of white and a touch of green or gold.
Wearing and photographing a Christmas costume
Holiday photos are about warmth. Pose holding a wrapped present toward the camera, peeking over a big gift box, hanging an ornament on a tree, or wrapped in a scarf with a warm drink in both hands.
Fairy lights in the background give soft bokeh at wide apertures, and warm white balance keeps the red rich. Watch that the red fabric does not clip in bright light; slightly underexpose to keep its texture.
FAQ
What colours are used for Christmas outfits?
Red and white are the core, with green and gold as accents. Elf outfits flip this and use green as the main colour.
What is the white fluffy edge on a Santa suit called?
It is fur trim, often faux fur, used on the cuffs, hem, collar and hat band.
How do I draw a Santa hat?
Draw a soft cone sitting on the head, bend the tip over to one side, add a round pompom and finish with a wide fur band around the bottom.