Ok.  So.  We’ve talked about two legends in fashion, a Ms. Audrey Hepburn, and a Ms. Coco Chanel.  But can either of these effervescent women really rival with the one whose  little round belly shakes “like a bowlful of jelly?”   

Saint Nikolaus, Pere Noel, Father Christmas, Santa Claus.  Call him what you will, but this guy knows style.  Proudly flaunting his plus-size figure, Mr. Claus is never seen without his red velvet, fur trimmed garb.  But who was his fashion designer?  Who was the brilliant mind behind the santa hat?  

Mrs. Claus?  No, she would have been too busy baking her beloved husband cookies.  

The elves?  They were preoccupied with the toy-making.  

Don’t even joke about the reindeer. 

No, Santa’s beautiful suit and beard were actually created by Clement Clark Moore (author of “Twas the Night Before Christmas”) and Thomas Nast, 19th century political cartoonist.  Nast is to tribute for creating the elephant symbol for the Republican party, and the donkey for the Democratic.  He was the one to add the goatee to Uncle Sam and in 1863, Harper’s Weekly revealed a drawing Thomas Nast did of a plump, bearded, jolly looking man.  Before this cartoon, Santa had always been portrayed as a tall, thin man in bishop’s garb.  But thanks to Thomas Nast and Clement Clark Moore’s poem,  Father Christmas is the jolly man we know today.

So take a tip from the old guy.  Don’t worry about those few extra pounds you may or may not put on this holiday season.  Just wear your brightest red coat and cheeriest smile, and you will be in timeless holiday fashion..