Words: Jonathan Wells
Hundreds of actors have stepped into Santa’s black buckled boots. They’ve shrugged on his fluffy red jacket and pulled on his pom-pom-tipped hat. But did you know that there has only ever been one Santa suit, in one Christmas film, nominated for the Academy Award for Best Costume Design?
And it belongs to… the Grinch. Thankfully, him not even being Santa and all, it didn’t win. Also, it’s a bad suit, all raggedy and non-crushed velvet. No trousers at all, we seem to recall. Thankfully, as we roll merrily into another festive week, there are plenty of other stylish Santas to admire. So, forget the Grinch and his second-rate suit, for these are the real best-dressed Santas in cinema.
J.K. Simmons in Red One
Sure, the hat leaves a little to be desired, but just take a look at that coat! Rich, ruby and shearling-trimmed with toggles? Excellent! There’s also a flight jacket tucked under there, because what else would you want when you’re flying Mach 3,000 via reindeers? The reflective stripes on his (combat!) trousers are a nice touch, too. Throw in a black leather belt, gloves and fur-topped boots, and that ratty hat pales into whiter-than-snow insignificance.
Kurt Russell in The Christmas Chronicles
If J.K. Simmons’s hat is lacking, Kurt Russell’s more than makes up for it. The Escape from New York star has played Santa twice, in two Netflix films. And, from his sweeping longcoat to gauntlet-like gloves, he looked a treat both times. Indulgent and traditional while maintaining edge, you can hardly tell where the fur trim ends and his beard begins. Everything works. Intricate brass buttons. A double-buckle belt. Hell, sometimes he even throws on a pair of Ray-Ban Wayfarers for good merry measure.
Ed Asner in Elf
On the surface, it’s an average Santa suit. Oversized, over-red and far too much fluff. But those braces? Now we’re talking. Ed Asner played Santa eight times in his lifetime, but, in Elf, he hit the fantastic elastic mother lode. Don’t get us wrong. The cowboy-style undershirt is good. The half-moon glasses are charming. But those pseudo-Scandi, neatly embroidered, button-on braces? A menswear masterstroke.
Danny Glover in The Naughty Nine
Never seen it? We’ll forgive you. Never heard of it? You’re not alone. But there’s a couple of decent things to be said about the Disney+ original. Danny Glover’s dry, wry take on Saint Nick, for one. Danny Glover’s wardrobe, for a second. Santa in a chunky roll-neck is just an inspired idea. So, while the rest of his outfit doesn’t stray too far from the established, snow-trodden path, that off-white, cable knit bit of wintry kit is standout and is the perfect piece to layer under his shawl collar.
Tim Allen in The Santa Clause
A trilogy of films and a TV show – that’s a lot of costumes. But Tim Allen has stepped into every one of his yuletide uniforms with the cheer the season demands. That’s not to say his Santa suit is anything special, though, as it’s his off-duty wears that win him a spot on this list. He’s worn two different tuxedos, a handful of checkered jackets and several good (and not so good) patterned jumpers. Add to that some monogrammed pyjamas, a red-banded Panama hat, and more braces than even Ed Asner. A shoo-in, surely.
David Harbour in Violent Night
Just look at those sharp shoulders. It’s like Donnie Brasco does Christmas. Harbour’s may not be the first leather jacket on our list, but, unlike J.K. Simmons’s shearling effort, or Kurt Russell’s sweeping longcoat, this Santa suit is as unconventional as the film it smashes through. There’s a Goodfellas flavour to this Nick’s blazer and, while that weird, buckled-up brown vest may initially seem strange, it does chime with Violent Night’s warmongering mood.
David Alan Grier in Candy Cane Lane
Dreadful film, dapper Santa. Played by They Cloned Tyrone’s David Alan Grier, this Saint Nick was stuffed into Eddie Murphy’s Christmas turkey as something of an afterthought. But we’ll forgive the film given his stellar threads. The poinsettia brooch? The checkered waistcoat, complete with pocket watch and chain? All excellent. But the real highlight? Even more than those slick, red leather, open-knuckled sleigh-driving gloves? His tip-top, head-topping homburg with red ribbon.
Richard Attenborough in Miracle on 34th Street
This one’s something of an honourable mention. Attenborough’s Santa suit may pass basic muster (bonus marks for a cape), but he spends much of the film stripped of his suit. Instead, his wardrobe consists mostly of natty tweed three-pieces, heavy Donegal overcoats and another homburg, along with several neat patterned ties. The 1994 film is actually a trove of great menswear, with Dylan McDermott’s cable-knit turtleneck jumper an honourable mention within this honourable mention.
Want more festive content? These are the best films to watch at Christmas…
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