And if you decide to super size, where can you find Santa costumes that large?
In my years of experience, it seems that many organizations, schools, churches and even families for home parties tried to find the largest guy they could to play the jolly little man with a pot belly. Was he a little man? Not likely, but he certainly would not have been gargantuan, either.
Even I, at 5’7″, and weighing in at 130# (at the time) played the role (with a pillow or two) once or twice. Way too small, but…
Has anyone considered what a 6’7″, 400# Santa looks like to a small child? If a person that size looks huge to me, he must look like the giant in ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ to a toddler. Santa can be frightening enough to some children even without the size factor.More attention should be paid to the personality of your Santa and how he interacts with children, rather than finding the largest person available.
Editors note: In my past life, we (costume renters) were able to fit Santa’s over 500#, but the present sizing may not follow most sizing standards. I would recommend checking with your local full service costume shop who might be able to help you. Check for one in you area by clicking on this site:
Paraphrase from the William Shakespeare line, ‘the play’s the thing’.
Santa beards and wigs range from the department store Santa who might have spent several months in growing his own, to something you’d be ashamed to wear to an adult office Christmas party.
If it doesn’t fool a four-year-old, then it’s a bad Santa wig and beard set. It may look fake to you, but it’s got to look good to a child.
Discounting the quality of hair, Santa wigs are Santa wigs; and about the only difference in them might be bangs or no bangs, and perhaps in the hair styling itself. We used a ‘marcell’ style creating a wavy look similar to the ladies hairstyles of the 1920’s. The beard, too, was ‘marcelled’.
Most Santa sets have an accompanying beard and attached mustache; but sometimes the mustache is a separate piece that needs to be attached with spirit gum. Lose the mustache though, and replacing it to match the beard might be a challenge.
The wig (hair) might be affixed to a cloth headpiece, or the hair might be embedded into a headpiece made of netting. The netting allows more air flow and might be more comfortable, but both work if they fit properly.
Beards (hair) are similar but use only a chin strap (cloth or netting) to attach the hair to. The cloth needs to be washable, without the possibility of shrinking. Flannel or any shrinkable chin straps or wig bases would be a poor choice.
Oh. The hair itself, you ask? There are human hair wig & beard sets on the market, as well as yak hair (made from the hair of a yak) and as long as the fit is good they are usually a smart purchase. The fit might be dependent upon where they were manufactured. A Chinese large head size might be comparable to an American small head size. And with the proliferation of defective Asian products these past few years, caveat emptor in general.
Synthetic sets (nylon, Orlon, etc.) are available as well, and some are good and some are not so good. It’s always best to try on the products if that is an option.
Then there are those wig and beard sets that look like cotton. Some are mohair, and some are also synthetic. One they become soiled, they are not washable nor cleanable. These are the type that usually accompanies a new Santa suit. My primary objection to them is they won’t pass the ‘four-year-old’ test.
The ability to wash, clean, and restyle the wig on an ongoing, year-to-year basis is another consideration. The hair might look good, but if the skull cap (base) loses its shape in a washing, you will be buying another set next year.
Don’t…Don’t…Don’t…throw wigs and beards into a washing machine or dryer. Never! Never! Never!
The care and cleaning of a Santa beard and wig set will be a subject for another day.
Thanksgiving…A day of rest, relaxation, and overindulgence, and the last day before our annual Christmas surge of Santa suit rentals and sales, and Santa wigs and beards sales and all the other Christmas costumes and accessories.
Thanksgiving…The day before all the office, church, school, organization, and association Christmas parties begin prepping for the first 2 or three weeks of December. The Snowmen are clean, the Reindeer are groomed. The Toy Soldiers are lined up in a row. Elf suits galore, as are Santa Belles and Mrs. Santa’s. A Nutcracker or two. Not to forget the array of Christmas Carol characters, Scrooge, Bob Cratchit, and the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future. We have white eyebrows and glasses and makeup for rosy red lips and cheeks for Santa; and gloves, and even padding, too. You forgot the Santa bells (not the Santa Belles) to ring out when Santa arrives? We have them as well.
But for Thursday, today, a couple of we Pilgrims and a scattering of Native American friends will be breaking bread, followed by an afternoon of college and professional football. Hmmm….I don’t remember football games in ’21………..1621, that is.
Comments Off on Do you want Santa to look like a dork?
Posted by admin | Category:Santa Claus Costume
Do you want Santa to look like a dork?
or do you want your Santa to look like the real Santa?
Your Santa Suit. Does fabric make a difference?
From a cheap vinyl material used for rain protection to rich, deep velvet velours, the range of fabrics that you might encounter in a Santa suit is vast.
Where might a cheap vinyl suit be used effectively? In the rain, of course. Sorry for the joke; but the best place to use these plastic suits might be at a fraternity party or an office party. They might also be used as an outside decorative display costume worn over a mannequin. Sometimes these will be accompanied by a cotton-like beard. They serve a purpose, but not for small children.
Most flannel and felt suits are a little better, but also would be best for adult parties.
Do these lower quality suits have any real IMPACT on a child’s mind?
Children may not have discerning eyes, at least as to the richness (or lack thereof) of fabrics, but they do have memories from year to year and from Santa (at the Mall) to Santa (at your home or party). If Santa at the Mall is wearing a luxurious costume, but Uncle Bill or whoever you enlist to be Santa this year, is wearing a worn out cotton suit; it will be duly noted and impressed on the child’s mind. Well, maybe not if the child is one and two, but watch out at three.
If your budget dictates that you can only afford a flannel suit, one way to enhance it is by replacing the white flannel trim with white plush trim; available at most fabric stores, and I am sure on the ‘net’.
But most of all, if you are on a budget; buy the best wig and beard you can afford and the less expensive suit. You can always improve the suit later. Buy anything, except, of course, the vinyl suits.
As a longtime owner of a theatrical, masquerade and Halloween costume business; I have an extensive knowledge and background in all areas of costuming. Our blog site is a clearinghouse of costume ideas, suggestions and information as it relates to your costuming needs. With Christmas coming and Santa, too; we can help you select a Santa suit, and dress for the occasion properly.
For ongoing Santa Claus and Seasonal costume ideas, please visit our site at:
What do you look for when you are buying a new Santa suit, and what is included in most Santa suit kits? Appearance is critical, but you need ALL the component parts as well, and sometimes the wig and beard is not included.I bought a new Santa Suit today. And here is a video of the Santa suit and the component parts that were included.
But it might be time to start thinking about your new SANTA COSTUME. The old one is getting frayed at the edges and it’s obviously seen way too many chimneys. Hmmm…is that a crumb? And what about that stain? Are they the remains of a cookie and spilled milk from a Christmas past?
All new Santa outfits should include a jacket, pants, and a hat; as well as a belt and boot tops (fake boots ala boot covers). A wig and beard may or may not be included with the costume.
Santa costumes are available at our AMAZON COSTUME STORE (click tab below banner)
The cost of the suits will vary considerably due to the quality of the fabric and trimming. If a wig and beard are included, that too will be a factor. Cloth suits are usually quite inexpensive, and of course, the plush suits are quite pricey, comparatively speaking. The quality of the white trim around the collar, down the front and on the bottom of the sleeves will also help dictate the price.
You’re on a budget, you say? As a lifetime professional costumer, I suggest that you buy the absolute best quality Santa beard and wig that you can afford, and the least priced suit; if money is an issue. A good Santa wig and beard will enhance a lesser quality suit; while a cheap wig and beard will substantially diminish the appearance of a good suit. You can always upgrade the suit in a number of ways at a later time.
Children will be looking at the hair and beard, not the suit; if they are looking at all.What are the attributes of a good Santa outfit and Santa beard and wig? Stay tuned, boys and girls.
More to Follow!!
Note that Santa suits usually DO NOT include the wig and beard nor other accessories like glasses, gloves, etc. These suits are in the middle of the price scale….while others are higher and still others are less.
