A Look at Jayne Mansfield's Most Famous Costume

We thought it was about time that we wrote a post about Jayne's most famous costume. We are of course talking about the gorgeous floor length ivory white gown Jayne wore in The Girl Can't Help It. The gown was designed by Fox's top costume designer Charles Le Maire. It had intricate beading around the neckline and in the navel area as well as a fox fur trailing. The dress was simply exquisite. Jayne wore it on several occasions including a Fox photo-shoot with photographer Frank Powolny and to a movie premier with a tux clad Mickey Hargitay by her side. The dress sold at auction in the early 2000's and again in 2012. The fox fur has been removed from the gown, this could have occurred at any stage, the dress could have even been reused by another starlet with the fur detached. Unfortunately the dress has not had the correct care over the years and is looking very sad. The colour is a horrible stained yellow, it is severely crumpled and has not been pressed. Comparing the images of the dress from the early 2000's to how it appeared in 2012 it is obvious that the owner during those years did not know the rules for caring for a vintage item like this one.

Here are photographs of the dress today, and worn on Jayne back in the late 50's.

The Dress in 2012

The dress at Auction around 2004