The Miss Universe Contestants Wore "National Costumes," And It's Pretty Clear Which Countries Understood The Assignment

Matt Stopera
·3-min read

The Miss Universe Pageant is currently happening in Mexico City!

Hector Vivas / Getty Images
Hector Vivas / Getty Images

The highlight of the pageant, for me, is the national costume competition. During this part, contestants wear costumes that best represent their countries.

Here's what every country wore this year:

1.Miss Angola

Person wearing an intricate, traditional costume with elaborate headdress on stage at a pageant event
Hector Vivas / Getty Images

2.Miss Venezuela

Person in vibrant, elaborate costume with leaf and parrot elements on stage, wearing "Venezuela" sash, holding a small trophy
Hector Vivas / Getty Images

3.Miss Argentina

Pageant contestant in elaborate costume with feathers and bird motifs, extends arms on stage. Sash reads "Argentina."
Hector Vivas / Getty Images

4.Miss Belarus

Person wearing an elaborate gown with pink flowers and green leaves on stage at a Miss Universe event
Hector Vivas / Getty Images

5.Miss Kyrgyzstan

Person in futuristic, patterned bodysuit with cape and tall boots on stage at an event, surrounded by decor elements
Hector Vivas / Getty Images

6.Miss Bolivia

Person in elaborate costume with large owl headdress and colorful wings, holding a banner reading "Bolivia," on stage
Hector Vivas / Getty Images

7.Miss Brazil

Person in an elaborate, sparkling gown and headpiece on stage at Miss Universe Mexico, with event branding in the background
Hector Vivas / Getty Images

8.Miss Canada

Woman in elaborate gown and crown walking onstage at Miss Universe event. She wears a sash that reads "Canada" and holds a feathered accessory
Hector Vivas / Getty Images

9.Miss Bulgaria

A contestant on stage at the 73rd Miss Universe in Mexico City wearing an elaborate, themed costume with floral accents and detailed arm accessories
Hector Vivas / Getty Images

10.Miss Cambodia

Person in ornate, traditional costume on stage at Miss Universe event
Hector Vivas / Getty Images

11.Miss Great Britain

Person in an elaborate tree-themed costume with leaf details and a crown, on stage at the 73rd Miss Universe event
Hector Vivas / Getty Images

12.Miss Estonia

Person on stage in elaborate winged costume holding sword and shield, with "73rd" displayed in the background
Hector Vivas / Getty Images

13.Miss Dominican Republic

Person wearing an elaborate, rhinestone-embellished costume with large, peacock-like feather wings on stage, smiling confidently
Hector Vivas / Getty Images

14.Miss Denmark

Person in an elaborate feathered costume with intricate gold details, performing on stage
Hector Vivas / Getty Images

15.Miss Guatemala

Person wearing a nature-inspired costume with large decorative leaves, ornate headdress, and "Guatemala" sash
Hector Vivas / Getty Images

16.Miss Czech Republic

Person in an elaborate, heart-themed gown on stage, with "73rd Universe Mexico" in the background
Hector Vivas / Getty Images

17.Miss Costa Rica

Individual in cultural costume with large headpiece and sash labeled "Costa Rica" on stage, holding a basket of fruit
Hector Vivas / Getty Images

18.Miss Colombia

Person in an elaborate feathered headdress and costume with painted cultural motifs, holding large decorated wings on a stage
Hector Vivas / Getty Images

19.Miss Cuba

Person in an elaborate, sun-themed costume with a headpiece and cape, holding a fan, on a pageant stage labeled "73rd Universe."
Hector Vivas / Getty Images

20.Miss Chile

Woman in a vibrant, elaborate costume with a headdress, posing on stage at a beauty pageant event
Hector Vivas / Getty Images

21.Miss Indonesia

Person in elaborate gold-themed costume with ornate wings and headpiece, holding a staff, on stage with "Miss Universe Mexico" in background
Hector Vivas / Getty Images

22.Miss Honduras

Woman in elaborate costume with intricate designs and large headdress, holding out decorated fabric. Sash reads "Honduras."
Hector Vivas / Getty Images

23.Miss Italy

Person in a film-inspired outfit, featuring reel motif, poses on stage with a "Cinecittà" headpiece and "Italy" sash at a pageant event
Hector Vivas / Getty Images

24.Miss Kazakhstan

Person on stage in ornate headdress and patterned cloak, with "Miss Universe" backdrop and "Kazakhstan" sash visible
Hector Vivas / Getty Images

25.Miss Mexico

Model on stage wearing an elaborate, feathered costume with a detailed headdress and large decorative elements, including a green mask
Hector Vivas / Getty Images

26.Miss Peru

Person on stage wearing an elaborate gold costume with a headdress resembling a sunburst, in a pageant setting
Hector Vivas / Getty Images

27.Miss Paraguay

Person in an elaborate gold costume with headdress, on a stage with large decorative elements resembling fireworks
Hector Vivas / Getty Images

28.Miss Portugal

Person in elaborate, ornate costume with a tall headdress, holding a book, and wearing a sash labeled "Portugal" on stage
Hector Vivas / Getty Images

29.Miss US Virgin Islands

Person in an elaborate costume with large feathered headdress and "U.S. Virgin Islands" sash, smiling at an event
Hector Vivas / Getty Images

30.Miss Puerto Rico

Person in elaborate dress with layered ruffles and floral headpiece on stage, holding a fan. Text reads "Puerto Rico." Event backdrop visible
Hector Vivas / Getty Images

31.Miss Russia

Person in an elaborate gown and headdress on stage with "Miss Universe Mexico" in the background
Hector Vivas / Getty Images

32.Miss Ecuador

Person in an elaborate, intricate costume with architectural details and a large, ornate circular headdress
Hector Vivas / Getty Images

33.Miss Spain

Person in an elaborate red costume with floral details and a headdress on stage at a pageant event
Hector Vivas / Getty Images

34.Miss Trinidad and Tobago

Woman in elaborate feathered costume with "Trinidad and Tobago" sash on stage at a pageant event
Hector Vivas / Getty Images

35.Miss Ukraine

Person in futuristic, metallic outfit with intricate details on a stage. Background shows "73rd Miss Universe, Mexico City."
Hector Vivas / Getty Images

36.Miss United Arab Emirates

Person wearing a flowing black gown and patterned robe on stage, with a sash reading "Miss Universe." The backdrop displays "73rd Universe."
Hector Vivas / Getty Images

37.Miss Netherlands

Person in an intricate floral-patterned gown and headpiece poses confidently on a stage with "Miss" visible in the background
Hector Vivas / Getty Images

38.Miss Thailand

Person in elaborate Thai costume on stage at Miss Universe Mexico pageant
Hector Vivas / Getty Images

39.Miss Tanzania

Pageant contestant on stage in elaborate costume with feathered headpiece, sash reading "Tanzania," background shows "Miss Universe, Mexico City."
Hector Vivas / Getty Images

40.Miss Bahamas

Person in a vibrant, intricate costume with large, colorful wings resembling a bird on stage at an event
Hector Vivas / Getty Images

41.Miss Switzerland

Person in elaborate, futuristic costume with headdress, sashed as Netherlands, on stage at Miss Universe Mexico, 73rd edition
Hector Vivas / Getty Images

42.Miss Suriname

Person on stage in a floral-themed gown with a "Suriname" sash, part of a pageant event. Background displays "73rd Universe, Mexico."
Hector Vivas / Getty Images

43.Miss Sri Lanka

Woman on stage in elaborate costume with tribal art headpiece and flowers, wearing a "Sri Lanka" sash, performs in a pageant setting
Hector Vivas / Getty Images

44.Miss Slovakia

Person wearing a sash that says "Slovakia" in a fitted gown with puffed sleeves and a crown on stage at a pageant event
Hector Vivas / Getty Images

45.Miss Singapore

Pageant contestant in an ornate gown with intricate golden headpiece poses on stage during a beauty competition
Hector Vivas / Getty Images

46.Miss Serbia

Individual in elaborate costume with eagle design and large crown onstage, wearing a sash labeled "Serbia."
Hector Vivas / Getty Images

47.Miss Samoa

Person on stage in elaborate costume with headpiece and skirt, holding a prop; Miss Universe 2023 event signage in background
Hector Vivas / Getty Images

48.Miss Saint Lucia

Person in elegant gown poses with flowing fabric on stage, holding Olympic rings backdrop at event
Hector Vivas / Getty Images

49.Miss Australia

Person in an elaborate red gown with feathered headdress on stage at Miss Universe 73 in Mexico City
Hector Vivas / Getty Images

50.Miss Aruba

Person in elaborate costume with large feathered headpiece resembling an owl, adorned with intricate patterns and decorations on a stage
Hector Vivas / Getty Images

51.Miss Myanmar

Woman in ornate gown with wing-like extensions poses on stage; sash reads "Myanmar" during Miss Universe event
Hector Vivas / Getty Images

52.Miss Mongolia

Person in ornate costume with bow and arrow on stage at "73rd Universe" event, wearing a helmet and shield, poses dramatically
Hector Vivas / Getty Images

53.Miss Malta

A pageant contestant in a detailed pirate-themed costume holds a scepter on stage at a Miss Universe event
Hector Vivas / Getty Images

54.Miss Macau

Pageant contestant in a bejeweled gown and feathered shawl on stage, wearing a sash that reads "Macau," against a backdrop with "73rd Universe" text
Hector Vivas / Getty Images

55.Miss Jamaica

Person in a vibrant, elaborate costume with speaker designs and Jamaican elements, smiling and holding a Jamaica sash on stage
Hector Vivas / Getty Images

56.Miss Hungary

Person dressed in ornate costume with large wings and a crown, labeled "Hungary," on stage at a pageant event
Hector Vivas / Getty Images

57.Miss France

Pageant contestant in elaborate gown with feathered headpiece, representing France, on stage with 73rd Universe and Mexico City backdrop
Hector Vivas / Getty Images

58.Miss India

Person in an elaborate costume with large wings onstage, surrounded by an audience taking photos
Hector Vivas / Getty Images

59.Miss Persia

Person wearing an elaborate costume with large gold wings and "Persia" sash, on stage during an event
Hector Vivas / Getty Images

60.Miss Zimbabwe

Beauty pageant contestant with elaborate feathered wings and sparkling dress on stage at Miss Universe event
Hector Vivas / Getty Images

61.Miss Vietnam

Contestant in elaborate, butterfly-inspired costume with large wings and hat on stage at Miss Universe event in Mexico City
Hector Vivas / Getty Images

62.Miss Uzbekistan

Person wearing ornate traditional clothing and a crown, on a stage with "Universe" in the background. They have a sash that reads "Uzbekistan."
Hector Vivas / Getty Images

63.Miss Uruguay

A pageant participant in an elaborate red costume with a headpiece, posing confidently on stage at the 73rd Universe event
Hector Vivas / Getty Images

64.Miss Romania

Person in elaborate outfit with peacock feather display and floral headpiece, on stage with event signage in background
Hector Vivas / Getty Images

65.Miss Poland

Person in elaborate, futuristic dress with crystal-like details and crown on stage. Sash reads "Poland."
Hector Vivas / Getty Images

66.Miss Nepal

Person in elegant costume with "Nepal" sash on stage, holding a trophy, in front of a "73rd Universe" backdrop
Hector Vivas / Getty Images

67.Miss Nicaragua:

Person on stage in elaborate costume with peacock feathers and architectural elements, wearing a sash labeled "Nicaragua."
Hector Vivas / Getty Images

68.And lastly, Miss United States

Person in festive, patriotic costume with a top hat, cape, and striped boots on stage at a pageant or performance event
Hector Vivas / Getty Images

Have a favorite? Please share in the comments xo.