Posted on Nov 15, 2024

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

Shoutout to Miss Ecuador because that costume looked heavy.

by Matt Stopera

BuzzFeed Staff

Person wearing an intricate, traditional costume with elaborate headdress on stage at a pageant event

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

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

Person wearing an elaborate gown with pink flowers and green leaves on stage at a Miss Universe event

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

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

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

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

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

Person in ornate, traditional costume on stage at Miss Universe event

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

Person on stage in elaborate winged costume holding sword and shield, with "73rd" displayed in the background

Person wearing an elaborate, rhinestone-embellished costume with large, peacock-like feather wings on stage, smiling confidently

Person in an elaborate feathered costume with intricate gold details, performing on stage

Person wearing a nature-inspired costume with large decorative leaves, ornate headdress, and "Guatemala" sash

Person in an elaborate, heart-themed gown on stage, with "73rd Universe Mexico" in the background

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

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

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

Woman in a vibrant, elaborate costume with a headdress, posing on stage at a beauty pageant event

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

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

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

Person on stage in ornate headdress and patterned cloak, with "Miss Universe" backdrop and "Kazakhstan" sash visible

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

Person on stage wearing an elaborate gold costume with a headdress resembling a sunburst, in a pageant setting

Person in an elaborate gold costume with headdress, on a stage with large decorative elements resembling fireworks

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

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

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

Person in an elaborate gown and headdress on stage with "Miss Universe Mexico" in the background

Person in an elaborate, intricate costume with architectural details and a large, ornate circular headdress

Person in an elaborate red costume with floral details and a headdress on stage at a pageant event

Woman in elaborate feathered costume with "Trinidad and Tobago" sash on stage at a pageant event

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

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

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

Person in elaborate Thai costume on stage at Miss Universe Mexico pageant

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

Person in a vibrant, intricate costume with large, colorful wings resembling a bird on stage at an event

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

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

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

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

Pageant contestant in an ornate gown with intricate golden headpiece poses on stage during a beauty competition

Individual in elaborate costume with eagle design and large crown onstage, wearing a sash labeled "Serbia."

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

Person in elegant gown poses with flowing fabric on stage, holding Olympic rings backdrop at event

Person in an elaborate red gown with feathered headdress on stage at Miss Universe 73 in Mexico City

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

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

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

A pageant contestant in a detailed pirate-themed costume holds a scepter on stage at a Miss Universe event

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

Person in a vibrant, elaborate costume with speaker designs and Jamaican elements, smiling and holding a Jamaica sash on stage

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

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

Person in an elaborate costume with large wings onstage, surrounded by an audience taking photos

Person wearing an elaborate costume with large gold wings and "Persia" sash, on stage during an event

Beauty pageant contestant with elaborate feathered wings and sparkling dress on stage at Miss Universe event

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

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

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

Person in elaborate outfit with peacock feather display and floral headpiece, on stage with event signage in background

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

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

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

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