The Coca-cola lie

The real story behind Santa’s suit

The classic story that Coca-cola was responsible for Santa’s red outfit is a complete myth. In actual fact, Santa has been depicted in red for centuries, with the popular red and white combination influenced by the real-life Saint Nicholas. Coca-cola’s Santa took inspiration from the cartoons of Thomas Nast and helped to bring the look to mainstream attention during the 1930s. However, Santa has also worn other colours.

During the 19th century in England, he was pictured in white, brown and green on Christmas cards and illustrations. The Ghost of Christmas Present, who resembles Santa, was illustrated in green for Dickens’

A Christmas Carol. In Russia, Stalin ordered that the Russian equivalent to Santa, Ded Moroz, should wear a blue coat so he could not be confused with the Western counterpart.