Uncovering Origins of Iconic Christmas Fashion
It’s time for some jolly ol’ Christmas trivia…
Did you know that Santa Claus’ iconic red suit with white fur trim wasn't actually created by Coca-Cola?
Despite what Coca-Cola’s marketing team would like you to believe, this legendary style is actually based on a 19th century poem called "A Visit from St. Nicholas," which describes Santa as being "dressed all in fur, from his head to his toes."
The red and white colors of his suit are likely derived from the traditional colors of St. Nicholas himself.
But why do we wear red and green during the Christmas season?
The association of these colors with the holiday can be traced back to the use of evergreen plants, such as holly and mistletoe, as decorations during the winter months.
The plants were believed to have magical powers and were thought to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits.
The red berries on the plants were also associated with the blood of Christ and were used as a symbol of his sacrifice. Over time, red and green became associated with Christmas and are now commonly used in decorations and clothing.
What about those garish and ugly Christmas sweaters?
The popularity of these iconic fashion disasters can be traced back to the '80s, when they were often worn as a way to mock the overly-commercialised and kitschy aspects of the holiday season.
In the early 2000s, ugly Christmas sweaters made a triumphant return to the holiday fashion scene, and after two decades of sticking around, it's clear that they are here to stay. In fact, they're like the little black dress of Christmas: versatile, enduring, and always appropriate (and a little tacky).
Photo from a Detroits event that attempted to break Guinness’s World Record for the largest gathering of ugly Christmas sweaters.
So, next time you're out and about in your festive fashion make sure to annoy everyone in your close proximity with some jolly fashion trivia.