The blatant discrepancies between the characterization of Jess on paper, and his actual appearance as implemented by the wardrobe department would seem to suggest that the lion’s share of the budget was devoured by a particularly rapacious female of the species. While at first glance we may indeed balk at the astronomical expenditure of a solitary papier-mâché buttonhole to indicate the festive occasion [of a travelling fair], on second thoughts the economies in the equipage do make sense if we read them as we probably should: a tailor-made display not of extravagance but of control.
On Jess’ lapel, the pathetic little paper blossom becomes a token not of failure but of his complete disdain for any kind of camouflage. It also happens to be the sole surviving prop from Belle’s ‘exotic princess’ act, as presented by Jess and discarded by the director: the one remaining link between the scripted scene and the final cut. As such, it does preserve the essential asceticism of the character - if not the full impact of his formidable physique.
