What does Mrs. SantaClaus look like?

We all know what Santa looks like. You know, the traditional red suit and all, but what about Mrs. Santa Claus? I have seen her depicted several different ways...some with a red dress similar to Santa's suit but others have her dressed differently. Almost all depict her having a duster type cap ( sorry, I'm not sure what you would call it.) and many have her wearing glasses. I would like for those on this message board to expound on what they think Mrs. Santa should look like and/or come up with some new ideas that may set the trend for generations to come on what Mrs. Santa's appearance may be. Does any one know of some literary works that discribe Mrs. Santa Claus that one could use as a suggestion as to what she looks like?
Let's get some lively discussion going here!

Well, this got me thinking!

I've always dressed Mr. Santa in tradition dress from what ever Country I happened to be working on at the time. If I was making a Dutch Santa then Mrs. Claus would be dressed something like this.

Wiki has a lot of interesting facts about Mrs. Santa. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mrs._Claus

(Quote-.She was dressed for traveling and for cold weather. Her hood was large and round and red but not smooth, — it was corrugated; that is to say, it connsisted of a series of rolls nearly as large as my arm, passing over her head sidewise, growing smaller toward the back until they terminated in a big button that was embellished with a knot of green ribbon. Its general appearance was not unlike that of the familiar, pictorial beehive except that the rolls were not arranged spirally. The broad, white ruffle of her lace cap projected several inches beyond the front of the hood and waved back and forth like the single leaves of a great white poppy, as she nodded emphatically in her discourse.

Her outer garment was a bright colored plaid worsted cloak reaching to within about six inches of the floor. Its size was most voluminous, but its fashion was extremely simple. It had a wide yoke across the shoulders, into which the broad plain breadths were gathered; and it was fastened at the throat by a huge ornamented brass hook and eye, from which hung a short chain of round twisted links. Her right arm protruded through a vertical slit at the side of the cloak and she held in her hand a sheet of paper covered with figures. The left arm on which she carried a large basket or bag — I couldn't tell which — was hidden by the ample folds of the garment. Her countenance was keen and nervous, but benignant.)

This is great! Thanks for including this link. Now, if I could just visualize this. I'm having trouble putting the terms "plaid" and "worsted" together. (It's a male woodcarver handicap. ) Has this rendition of Mrs. Claus been accomplished by anyone?

Here is an example of a beehive hat with folds of fabric. I just can't wrap my mind around the idea of the fabric going front to back, smaller in the back with a button & bow. Actually, I'm having trouble wrapping my brain around Mrs. Claus in a beehive hat!

From the description I'm thinking it is more of a hood on a cape rather than a bee hive hat. Maybe rolls of material that are wider and thicker in the front and tapering smaller as they meet in the back? Like you, I can't quite wrap my mind around it. It would certianly be unique though.

Here is another thought:


Image ID: 824370

Red and white worsted hood ; Crochet with scarf ends (circa 1871)

"Worsted" refers to the type of wool yards used to weave the fabric; generally speaking, with wool, you have 2 choices - either worsted or woolen, worsted being the tighter-spun, non-fuzzy yarn. Think wool gab, suitings - wool fabrics with a crisper finish. "Plaid" would refer to the pattern the yarns were woven in. Hope this helps a little!!!

Abbie

Yes, Abbie, that does clear things up some for me! Thanks! Now, just to figure out what is meant by a "hood with rolls of fabric nearly as big as an arm"! I have sort of an idea what I am going to do there, but I have never seen a hood anything like I am contemplating! Rolls that taper to the back and finish with a green knot of a bow? Shish!

In my minds eye she looks like Misses Doubtfire but a little heavier. She has no hat. Her hair is up in the old fashion bun and she has those old boned comb and hair pins holding it up like my grandma used to wear. she has glasses but there hanging around her neck with a gold a chain . she cheeks and lips are rosy like she has come in from the cold .She has on heavy beige colored cotton over the knee stockings that are held up with those old rolled garters and she has on the old fashion black button up shoes, her dress is a dark red flannel and she should be wearing a red plaid apron. Now if i could just make here LOL... I'm no good at all with woman's faces, if i make a mistake on a man i can hid it with a beard.
Sarah