39 showstopping looks from the Miss USA pageant over the years

Amanda KrauseNov 29, 2021, 21:10 IST

Michele McDonald, winner of Miss USA 1971, and Olivia Jordan, winner of Miss USA 2015.The Miss Universe Organization

The Miss USA competition has taken place annually since 1952.
Contestants always wear glamorous looks to impress the judges, from flowing skirts to ball gowns.

Daniel Boan contributed reporting on a previous version of this article.

New York's Jackie Loughery became the first Miss USA in 1952 while wearing a leotard.

Jackie Loughery during Miss USA 1952.The Miss Universe Organization

Carol Morris, who was once Miss Iowa, was crowned Miss USA in 1956. She wore a William Cahill coronation ball gown during the competition.

Carol Morris poses in a coronation ball gown in 1956.The Miss Universe Organization

Terry Lynn Huntingdon was first named Miss California, and then became the eighth Miss USA in 1959. Like the pageant's first winner, she was crowned while wearing a leotard.

Terry Lynn Huntingdon during Miss USA 1959.The Miss Universe Organization

Terry Lynn Huntingdon was first named Miss California, and then became the eighth Miss USA in 1959. Like the pageant's first winner, she was crowned while wearing a leotard.

Macel Wilson, a contestant from Hawaii, was named Miss USA in 1962, while wearing an elegant dress with an embellished top.

Macel Wilson during Miss USA 1962.The Miss Universe Organization

Maria Remenyi took home the Miss USA crown in 1966 while wearing a shimmering ensemble.

Maria Remenyi during Miss USA 2004.The Miss Universe Organization

In 1968, Didi Anstett won the Miss USA title. She showed off her new title in a sparkly dress with a daring cutout.

Didi Anstett during Miss USA 1968.The Miss Universe Organization

Michele McDonald represented Pennsylvania during the pageant in 1971. She wore a unique gown with ruffled details that were popular at the time after being crowned.

Michele McDonald during Miss USA 1971.The Miss Universe Organization

Kimberly Tomes turned heads in blue when she won the 1977 Miss USA title.

Kimberly Tomes during Miss USA 1977.The Miss Universe Organization

Terri Utley, from Arkansas, became Miss USA in 1982, wearing a dress with a romantic silhouette.

Terri Utley during Miss USA 1982.The Miss Universe Organization

Before she was an Oscar-winning actress, Halle Berry competed in Miss USA in 1986.

Halle Berry during Miss USA 1986.AP

Courtney Gibbs competed as Miss Texas and was eventually crowned Miss USA in 1988, wearing a dress with a dramatic thigh-high slit.

Courtney Gibbs poses in her evening gown from the Miss USA 1988 pageant.The Miss Universe Organization

Gretchen Polhemus of Texas became Miss USA in 1989, wearing a gown with what appears to be fringe detailing on the bodice.

Gretchen Polhemus during Miss USA 1989.The Miss Universe Organization

Carole Gist went from Miss Michigan to Miss USA in 1990. One of her most showstopping looks was this black and red dress.

Carole Gist poses in her evening gown from the 1990 competition.The Miss Universe Organization

Kelli McCarty of Kansas wore this sparkling red gown when she became Miss USA in 1991.

Kelli McCarty posing in her evening gown for the competition.The Miss Universe Organization

Shanna Moakler of Texas became Miss USA in 1995 wearing a white, embellished gown with a statement neckline.

Shanna Moakler during Miss USA 1995.The Miss Universe Organization

Shawnae Jebbia competed in the pageant as Miss Massachusetts in 1998, wearing a strapless design with a dramatic train.

Shawnae Jebbia during Miss USA 1998.The Miss Universe Organization

Kimberly Ann Pressler of New York took home the crown in 1999. She wore a subtle yet standout white dress with a sparkly top during the pageant.

Kimberly Ann Pressler during Miss USA 1999.The Miss Universe Organization

Lynnette Cole walked as Miss Tennessee in 2000 before becoming Miss USA. She wore a sleek floor-length evening gown.

Lynnette Cole during Miss USA 2000.The Miss Universe Organization

Kandace Krueger represented Texas in 2001 wearing a classic white gown.

Kandace Krueger during Miss USA 2001.The Miss Universe Organization

Shauntay Hinton went from Miss District of Columbia to Miss USA in 2002 wearing a one-shoulder design.

Shauntay Hinton during Miss USA 2002.The Miss Universe Organization

Susie Castillo of Massachusetts won the crown in 2003 while wearing a semi-sheer lace gown.

Susie Castillo during Miss USA 2003.The Miss Universe Organization

Shandi Finnessey competed as Miss Missouri in 2004, and ended up winning the competition in a semi-sheer jeweled design.

Shandi Finnessey during Miss USA 2004.The Miss Universe Organization

Chelsea Cooley of North Carolina took home the title in 2005. She wore a classic black dress during the evening gown portion of the show.

Chelsea Cooley during Miss USA 2005.The Miss Universe Organization

She may not have won the pageant, but Melissa Witek from Florida wore a showstopping dress in 2005.

Melissa Witek during Miss USA 2005.Chris Gardner/AP Images

Tara Conner represented Kentucky in 2006 in a flowing white gown.

Tara Conner during Miss USA 2006.Chris Gardner/AP Images

Rachel Smith of Tennessee won the crown in March 2007 while wearing a red gown with a cutout design.

Rachel Smith during Miss USA 2007.Kevork Djansezian/AP Images

Miss Texas Crystle Stewart was crowned Miss USA in 2008 wearing an intricate beaded design.

Crystle Stewart during Miss USA 2008.Eric Jamison/AP Images

Kristen Dalton of North Carolina won the title in 2009 wearing a flowing blue gown.

Kristen Dalton during Miss USA 2009.Eric Jamison/AP Images

Winner Rima Fakih represented Michigan in 2010 and was crowned Miss USA while wearing a sleek white evening gown.

Rima Fakih during Miss USA 2010.Isaac Brekken/AP Images

Alyssa Campanella took home the Miss USA crown in June 2011 while wearing an emerald-green gown.

Alyssa Campanella during Miss USA 2011.Julie Jacobson/AP Images

Nana Meriwether represented Maryland in 2012 while wearing a flowing white gown.

Nana Meriwether during Miss USA 2012.Greg Harbaugh/The Miss Universe Organization

2013 winner Erin Brady of Connecticut dazzled in a red evening gown.

Erin Brady during Miss USA 2013.Darren Decker/The Miss Universe Organization

In June 2014, Nia Sanchez represented Nevada in a showstopping red gown that helped her win the Miss USA title.

Nia Sanchez during Miss USA 2014.Jonathan Bachman/AP Images

Olivia Jordan represented Oklahoma in a grand ball gown in July 2015.

Olivia Jordan during Miss USA 2015.Derick E. Hingle/AP Images

Deshauna Barber, Miss District of Columbia in 2016, glimmered in a golden evening gown when she became Miss USA.

Deshauna Barber during Miss USA 2016.Darren Decker/The Miss Universe Organization

Miss District of Columbia Kara McCullough walked down the runway wearing an eye-catching gown in 2017.

Kara McCullough during Miss USA 2017.John Locher/AP Images

2018 winner Sarah Rose Summer represented Nebraska in a dramatic black ballgown.

Sarah Rose Summers during Miss USA 2018.Patrick Prather/The Miss Universe Organization

Mariela Pepin, who competed as Miss Maryland in 2019, stole the show in a yellow dress with daring details.

Mariela Pepin, Miss Maryland USA 2019.The Miss Universe Organization

Kim Layne of Idaho stood out in 2020 while wearing a blue gown covered in sparkles.

Kim Layne during Miss USA 2020.Benjamin Askinas/Miss USA

Kanye West, Donatella Versace, and Hailey Bieber are among celebrities paying tribute to Virgil Abloh

Cookies on the Business Insider India website

39 showstopping looks from the Miss USA pageant over the years

New York's Jackie Loughery became the first Miss USA in 1952 while wearing a leotard.

Carol Morris, who was once Miss Iowa, was crowned Miss USA in 1956. She wore a William Cahill coronation ball gown during the competition.

Terry Lynn Huntingdon was first named Miss California, and then became the eighth Miss USA in 1959. Like the pageant's first winner, she was crowned while wearing a leotard.

Macel Wilson, a contestant from Hawaii, was named Miss USA in 1962, while wearing an elegant dress with an embellished top.

Maria Remenyi took home the Miss USA crown in 1966 while wearing a shimmering ensemble.

In 1968, Didi Anstett won the Miss USA title. She showed off her new title in a sparkly dress with a daring cutout.

Michele McDonald represented Pennsylvania during the pageant in 1971. She wore a unique gown with ruffled details that were popular at the time after being crowned.

Kimberly Tomes turned heads in blue when she won the 1977 Miss USA title.

Terri Utley, from Arkansas, became Miss USA in 1982, wearing a dress with a romantic silhouette.

Before she was an Oscar-winning actress, Halle Berry competed in Miss USA in 1986.

Courtney Gibbs competed as Miss Texas and was eventually crowned Miss USA in 1988, wearing a dress with a dramatic thigh-high slit.

Gretchen Polhemus of Texas became Miss USA in 1989, wearing a gown with what appears to be fringe detailing on the bodice.

Carole Gist went from Miss Michigan to Miss USA in 1990. One of her most showstopping looks was this black and red dress.

Kelli McCarty of Kansas wore this sparkling red gown when she became Miss USA in 1991.

Shanna Moakler of Texas became Miss USA in 1995 wearing a white, embellished gown with a statement neckline.

Shawnae Jebbia competed in the pageant as Miss Massachusetts in 1998, wearing a strapless design with a dramatic train.

Kimberly Ann Pressler of New York took home the crown in 1999. She wore a subtle yet standout white dress with a sparkly top during the pageant.

Lynnette Cole walked as Miss Tennessee in 2000 before becoming Miss USA. She wore a sleek floor-length evening gown.

Kandace Krueger represented Texas in 2001 wearing a classic white gown.

Shauntay Hinton went from Miss District of Columbia to Miss USA in 2002 wearing a one-shoulder design.

Susie Castillo of Massachusetts won the crown in 2003 while wearing a semi-sheer lace gown.

Shandi Finnessey competed as Miss Missouri in 2004, and ended up winning the competition in a semi-sheer jeweled design.

Chelsea Cooley of North Carolina took home the title in 2005. She wore a classic black dress during the evening gown portion of the show.

She may not have won the pageant, but Melissa Witek from Florida wore a showstopping dress in 2005.

Tara Conner represented Kentucky in 2006 in a flowing white gown.

Rachel Smith of Tennessee won the crown in March 2007 while wearing a red gown with a cutout design.

Miss Texas Crystle Stewart was crowned Miss USA in 2008 wearing an intricate beaded design.

Kristen Dalton of North Carolina won the title in 2009 wearing a flowing blue gown.

Winner Rima Fakih represented Michigan in 2010 and was crowned Miss USA while wearing a sleek white evening gown.

Alyssa Campanella took home the Miss USA crown in June 2011 while wearing an emerald-green gown.

Nana Meriwether represented Maryland in 2012 while wearing a flowing white gown.

2013 winner Erin Brady of Connecticut dazzled in a red evening gown.

In June 2014, Nia Sanchez represented Nevada in a showstopping red gown that helped her win the Miss USA title.

Olivia Jordan represented Oklahoma in a grand ball gown in July 2015.

Deshauna Barber, Miss District of Columbia in 2016, glimmered in a golden evening gown when she became Miss USA.

Miss District of Columbia Kara McCullough walked down the runway wearing an eye-catching gown in 2017.

2018 winner Sarah Rose Summer represented Nebraska in a dramatic black ballgown.

Mariela Pepin, who competed as Miss Maryland in 2019, stole the show in a yellow dress with daring details.

Kim Layne of Idaho stood out in 2020 while wearing a blue gown covered in sparkles.