<p class="ingestion featured-caption">The Miss Universe national costume contest took place Thursday.Hector Vivas/Getty Images</p><ul class="summary-list"><li>The 73rd annual Miss Universe pageant is taking place in Mexico.</li><li>On Thursday, the contestants competed in the national costume contest with colorful looks.</li></ul><p>The most exciting pageant week of the year has finally arrived, as the 73rd annual <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/miss-universe-women-who-became-famous-2023-11">Miss Universe</a> pageant kicked off in Mexico City.</p><p>A <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/miss-usa-alma-cooper-miss-universe-army-officer-west-point-2024-11">new Miss Universe</a> will be crowned on Saturday, but contestants gathered for the preliminary competition on Thursday, which included the national costume contest.</p><p>The contest allows <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/americans-who-have-won-miss-universe-pageant-2023-11">pageant hopefuls</a> to celebrate an aspect of their culture in a festive costume, and contestants always go all out for the event in sparkly, colorful ensembles.</p><p>Take a look at some of the wildest outfits contestants wore this year, from elaborate faux wings to bejeweled headpieces.</p>