Pics Of Jayne Mansfield Exuding Ultimate Old Hollywood Glamour
When you think of the blond bombshells of Old Hollywood, your first thought might be Marilyn Monroe. (Although her natural hair color was a far cry from the blond she's known for.) But there was another flaxen-haired beauty who dominated the 1950s and '60s, and that was Jayne Mansfield. Although her life ended prematurely, she left an enduring legacy as a sultry symbol of sensuality on par with the likes of Brigitte Bardot and Sophia Loren.
As a former Playboy model, Mansfield was the embodiment of confidence and loving your body just the way it is. And while the beauty standards of the '60s began to lean more toward a more slender, lithe figure, the "Too Hot to Handle" star remained unapologetic and continued to proudly showcase her enviable curves to the world. So, we think it's high time we look back at the highlights of Mansfield's career and see just why she's considered the epitome of Old Hollywood glamour while being truly ahead of her time.
Every inch a Hollywood starlet
Jayne Mansfield proved to Hollywood that she was here to stay with this 1960 photoshoot. Her luscious platinum-blond hair was curled to perfection, and she wore a low-cut, off-white dress with silver tassels across the bust, which could certainly double as one of the Old Hollywood dresses still setting fashion trends today. She completed the look with long, black gloves with three white buttons at the wrist, and a pair of dangling diamond earrings. What's more, her makeup was impeccable; the nude, rosy pink lipstick she wore was truly the cherry on top. Stunning.
She was the classic pin-up girl
Mansfield showed off her photogenic prowess when she posed in this professional shoot done in 1957. Likely drawing from her experience as a Playboy model in 1954, Mansfield posed in a provocative two-piece outfit, showing just how bold she was for her day. Paired with tassel earrings, an armband, and a pair of strappy, crystal-heel pumps, Mansfield clearly knew how to dress herself and turn heads. A quality any Hollywood actor would envy.
Jayne Mansfield was the essence of glamour
Despite Mansfield's portrayal of airheads and lighthearted 'dumb blonds' in her films, she was, in reality, a very intelligent woman. Aside from being fluent in four languages and possessing a reported IQ of 163, Mansfield was a genius at drawing focus onto herself. The "Promises! Promises!" star knew what kind of woman she wanted to project for the press, and demonstrated this best in the image above. With her shoulders bare and her chest covered with a fur stole, Mansfield was the perfect blend of sensual and elegant for Old Hollywood.
She was the 'it girl' of her time
Jayne Mansfield certainly had a keen eye for fashion and knew what to wear for promotional photos. For this shoot in 1955, Mansfield chose a strapless gown covered with black sequins and a ruffled neckline. And she knew what accessories to choose from as well, wearing a large, decorative silver necklace, diamond stud earrings, and a crystal clip in her hair. Were she alive today, there's no doubt she would be among the glamorous ladies of Old Hollywood who were red carpet mainstays.
Jayne Mansfield was a breath of fresh air
Although you may associate Jayne Mansfield with revealing, provocative outfits, the Golden Globe winner showed she's way more than just a sultry goddess. In a marketing photo for her 1957 rom-com "Kiss Them for Me", the actor was photographed wearing a bright yellow shirt with a floral pattern, looking at the camera with a beaming smile on her face. Mansfield showed how much of a chameleon she is on the silver screen, a breath of fresh air able to go toe-to-toe with some of the hottest celebs of her day.
She certainly knew how to make a statement
In a departure from her signature blond, Mansfield returned to her original hair color for this 1965 shoot. "The Girl Can't Help It" star unveiled her dark brown hair to the public, wrapped in nothing but a fur coat. In the '60s, Mansfield experienced a sharp career downturn as big roles dried up, and this may have been an attempt to revive it. Although she sadly died in an accident two years after this photo was taken, Mansfield certainly retained her Old Hollywood glamour right up to the end of her career.