Time to do the twist! Uma Thurman’s Pulp Fiction costume is going up for auction.

The simple outfit that Mia Wallace—Thurman’s bored mob wife—wears to Jack Rabbit Slim’s with Vincent Vega (John Travolta) has become an enduring symbol of Quentin Tarantino’s 1994 film. Now, more than 30 years later, the fitted white button-up shirt and slightly too-short Agnès B. flared pants are heading to auction. Propstore, the film memorabilia auction house, expects the costume to sell for between $15,000 and $30,000. It goes up for bid on August 26 at the Peterson Automotive Museum in Los Angeles.

Photo: Courtesy of Miramar Films

“It’s the epitome of the ‘90s: simple, quirky, and fun,” says Maegen Hensley, director of asset management at Propstore. “And that’s exactly what the character represents. She was the wife, but she was also one of the guys.” Indeed, costume designer Betsy Heimann took inspiration for Mia from Tarantino’s earlier film, Reservoir Dogs. “She’s completely cut off from interacting with any man, so when she gets a chance to go out one night with Vincent, she thinks, ‘Well, I’m going to show them I’m a Reservoir Dog just like they are,’” Heimann told Vogue in 2019.

Hensley says the costume was consigned by a Pulp Fiction crew member who kept it after production wrapped in 1994. Beyond the consignor’s account, other details helped Hensley and her team confirm it was Thurman’s costume. “Of course, it’s probably one of a few because she had different versions—obviously the last one had blood on it,” she says. “But you can tell by the custom work on the side: When you look inside the costume, you see a piece of elastic. That’s not something you’d buy or easily replicate.”

Courtesy of Propstore

Given its history, Hensley learned more about the piece—including its quirks. “The consigner was told that the costume department bought a pair of pants for Uma to try on,” she says. “When she tried them on, they were too short, but she really liked the look.” (Heimann tells the story a bit differently: While the pants were indeed too short, she insisted on cutting them even shorter. “Oh, but my feet are so big!” Thurman protested. “Yeah, let’s show them off!” Heimann replied. “Let’s pay tribute to your rich husband and get you some gold Chanel pumps.”)

While the costume is instantly recognizable as Mia Wallace’s, Hensley notes it’s just as much Uma Thurman’s. “She brought a bit of her own personality into the costume design,” she says.

PULP FICTION, Uma Thurman, John Travolta, 1994
©Miramax/courtesy Everett / Everett Collection

Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs about Uma Thurmans iconic yellow costume from Kill Bill Volume 1

BeginnerLevel Questions

1 What is Uma Thurmans costume in Kill Bill
Its a yellow and black striped motorcycle jumpsuit inspired by Bruce Lees outfit in Game of Death

2 Why is the costume yellow
Director Quentin Tarantino wanted it to be a direct homage to Bruce Lee The bright yellow also makes The Bride stand out during the fight scenes

3 Is it a real motorcycle suit
Yes Its a custommade onepiece leather motorcycle racing suit designed by costume designer Catherine Marie Thomas

4 Does the costume have any special features
In the movie it has a hidden pocket for a sword and is designed for mobility though in real life its just a standard leather suit

5 Why does she wear a helmet with it
She wears a fullface yellow and black helmet to hide her identity and protect her face during the motorcycle ride to the House of Blue Leaves

IntermediateLevel Questions

6 Was the costume uncomfortable for Uma Thurman to wear
Yes The suit was extremely tight and made of heavy leather Thurman has said it was like wearing a second skin that was very hot and restrictive especially during the long fight scenes

7 How many versions of the costume were made
Several There were stunt versions hero versions and a special version for the Showdown at the House of Blue Leaves sequence that had a zipper for quick costume changes

8 Is the yellow jumpsuit the same in Volume 2
No In Volume 2 The Bride wears a different more practical outfit for most of the film The yellow suit only appears briefly in flashbacks

9 Why didnt she wear the yellow suit in the final fight with Bill
Tarantino wanted the final fight to feel more intimate and less like a movie fight The yellow suit is for her rampage the final confrontation is personal and raw

Advanced TriviaLevel Questions