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The most daring looks Miss USA contestants have worn to compete in the pageant over the years

Celia Fernandez   

The most daring looks Miss USA contestants have worn to compete in the pageant over the years
Miss USA gowns have gotten more daring over the years.The Miss Universe Organization/Kevork Djansezian/AP Images/
  • The Miss USA beauty pageant has been around since 1952.
  • Contestants have continued to wear even more daring looks over the years.

Miss USA 1971 Michele McDonald wore a white dress with sheer sleeves.

Miss USA 1971 Michele McDonald wore a white dress with sheer sleeves.
Michele McDonald during Miss USA 1971.      The Miss Universe Organization

The dress was also designed with ruffled cuffs.

Miss USA 1982 Terri Utley wore a brown high-low dress for her crowning moment.

Miss USA 1982 Terri Utley wore a brown high-low dress for her crowning moment.
Terri Utley during Miss USA 1982.      The Miss Universe Organization

Utley's dress also had long sheer sleeves with jewels sewn in throughout.

Courtney Gibbs made a statement during Miss USA 1988 in a black gown with a thigh-high slit.

Courtney Gibbs made a statement during Miss USA 1988 in a black gown with a thigh-high slit.
Courtney Gibbs during Miss USA 1988.      The Miss Universe Organization

The stunning black gown was designed with an intricate gold pattern.

Carole Gist won Miss USA in 1990 in a black-and-red dress with jewels sewn along the hems and sweetheart neckline.

Carole Gist won Miss USA in 1990 in a black-and-red dress with jewels sewn along the hems and sweetheart neckline.
Carole Gist during Miss USA 1990.      The Miss Universe Organization

The pageant queen's dress was also designed with a dramatic skirt and thigh-high slit.

Susie Castillo had her crowning moment at the Miss USA 2003 pageant in a semi-sheer lace gown.

Susie Castillo had her crowning moment at the Miss USA 2003 pageant in a semi-sheer lace gown.
Susie Castillo during Miss USA 2003.      The Miss Universe Organization

Castillo's dress also had a thigh-high slit down the middle and ruffles going down the skirt.

Shandi Finnessey won Miss USA 2004 in a jeweled semi-sheer dress.

Shandi Finnessey won Miss USA 2004 in a jeweled semi-sheer dress.
Shandi Finnessey during Miss USA 2004.      The Miss Universe Organization

It also had a two-tone blue-and-gold skirt with a thigh-high slit in the middle.

Miss USA 2005 Chelsea Cooley looked chic in a black gown with a plunging neckline and slit.

Miss USA 2005 Chelsea Cooley looked chic in a black gown with a plunging neckline and slit.
Chelsea Cooley during Miss USA 2005.      The Miss Universe Organization

The dress also had a flowing train. She paired it with simple black heels.

Miss USA 2006 Tara Conner stunned in a white gown.

Miss USA 2006 Tara Conner stunned in a white gown.
Tara Conner during Miss USA 2006.      The Miss Universe Organization

Conner's gown had a ruffled thigh-high slit and a dramatic train. She paired it with simple gold heels and dangling earrings.

Rachel Smith won Miss USA 2007 in a striking red gown with side cutouts.

Rachel Smith won Miss USA 2007 in a striking red gown with side cutouts.
Rachel Smith during Miss USA 2007.      Miss Universe Organization

Smith's dress also had a plunging neckline and sequined skirt.

Miss USA 2011 contestant Ana Christina Rodriguez looked stunning in a dress with a sheer thigh-high slit.

Miss USA 2011 contestant Ana Christina Rodriguez looked stunning in a dress with a sheer thigh-high slit.
Ana Christina Rodriguez during Miss USA 2011.      Richard Harbaugh/Miss USA

The thigh-high slit of Rodriguez's dress also had feathers sewn into it.

During Miss USA 2011, Ashley Durham sparkled in a one-sleeve, icy-blue dress.

During Miss USA 2011, Ashley Durham sparkled in a one-sleeve, icy-blue dress.
Ashley Durham during Miss USA 2011.      Rick Salyer/Miss USA

Durham wore the dress designed with a thigh-high slit with simple silver heels.

Miss USA 2012 contestant Katherine Webb wore a sheer illusion dress during the competition.

Miss USA 2012 contestant Katherine Webb wore a sheer illusion dress during the competition.
Katherine Webb during Miss USA 2012.      Richard Harbaugh/Miss USA

Webb's dress was also designed with a thigh-high slit.

During Miss USA 2013, Chelsea Caswell looked chic in a sparkly black dress.

During Miss USA 2013, Chelsea Caswell looked chic in a sparkly black dress.
Chelsea Caswell during Miss USA 2013.      Patrick Prather/Miss USA

Her black dress was designed with a sweetheart neckline and a thigh-high slit.

Marissa Powell looked fabulous in a white dress during the 2013 Miss USA pageant.

Marissa Powell looked fabulous in a white dress during the 2013 Miss USA pageant.
Marissa Powell during Miss USA 2013.      Patrick Prather/Miss USA

Powell's dress had a sheer skirt.

During Miss USA 2013, Ashley Love-Mills turned heads in a sparkly bodysuit with a white skirt.

During Miss USA 2013, Ashley Love-Mills turned heads in a sparkly bodysuit with a white skirt.
Ashley Love-Mills during Miss USA 2013.      Patrick Prather/Miss USA

She accessorized the dress with statement earrings and simple silver heels.

Miss USA 2015 contestant Mame Adjei's dress had a completely sheer skirt.

Miss USA 2015 contestant Mame Adjei
Mame Adjei during Miss USA 2015.      Patrick Prather

Adjei's gown was also designed with a sheer top and a dramatic skirt.

At Miss USA 2015, Anea Garcia wore a white dress with a sheer cutout going down the middle.

At Miss USA 2015, Anea Garcia wore a white dress with a sheer cutout going down the middle.
Anea Garcia during Miss USA 2015.      Darren Decker/Miss USA

Garcia's dress featured jewels going down the middle.

Miss USA 2016 contestant Sydnee Stottlemyre wore a white dress with sheer cutouts.

Miss USA 2016 contestant Sydnee Stottlemyre wore a white dress with sheer cutouts.
Sydnee Stottlemyre during Miss USA 2016.      Darren Decker

The sheer cutouts across her thighs, midriff, and chest were all embellished with jewels.

During Miss USA 2017, Kára McCullough wowed in a gold-and-white dress.

During Miss USA 2017, Kára McCullough wowed in a gold-and-white dress.
Kára McCullough during Miss USA 2017.      Patrick Prather

McCullough's dress was designed with a plunging neckline and thigh-high slit.

Miss USA 2018 contestant Marianny Egurrola looked stunning in a sparkly blue dress.

Miss USA 2018 contestant Marianny Egurrola looked stunning in a sparkly blue dress.
Marianny Egurrola during Miss USA 2018.      Brittany Elizabeth Strickland

Egurrola's off-the-shoulder dress featured a plunging neckline and sheer skirt.

Miss USA 2019 Cheslie Kryst turned heads in a sleek one-shoulder dress.

Miss USA 2019 Cheslie Kryst turned heads in a sleek one-shoulder dress.
Miss USA 2019 winner Cheslie Kryst.      The Miss Universe Organization

Kryst's dress had a thigh-high slit and gold chains draping off the right sleeve.

Mariela Pepin competed as Miss Maryland in 2019 in a yellow dress with sheer cutouts going down the skirt.

Mariela Pepin competed as Miss Maryland in 2019 in a yellow dress with sheer cutouts going down the skirt.
Mariela Pepin during Miss USA 2019.      The Miss Universe Organization

Pepin's dress was also designed with a plunging neckline.

Tianna Tuamoheloa competed as Miss Nevada in Miss USA 2019 wearing a beautiful one-shoulder dress.

Tianna Tuamoheloa competed as Miss Nevada in Miss USA 2019 wearing a beautiful one-shoulder dress.
Tianna Tuamoheloa during Miss USA 2019.      The Miss Universe Organization

Tuamoheloa's dress was designed with a sparkly sheer bodysuit and a white skirt with a thigh-high slit.

Miss USA 2020 contestant Alexis Lete hit the stage in a red dress.

Miss USA 2020 contestant Alexis Lete hit the stage in a red dress.
Alexis Lete during Miss USA 2020.      Benjamin Askinas/Miss USA

She looked beautiful in a fringed gown designed with a thigh-high slit.

During the Miss USA 2020 pageant, Andreia Gibau turned heads in a red gown.

During the Miss USA 2020 pageant, Andreia Gibau turned heads in a red gown.
Andreia Gibau during Miss USA 2020.      Benjamin Askinas/Miss USA

Gibau's strapless gown had a thigh-high slit and a fun crystal design on the front.

Miss USA 2020 Asya Branch took home the title in a black-and-white look.

Miss USA 2020 Asya Branch took home the title in a black-and-white look.
Asya Branch during Miss USA 2020.      Benjamin Askinas/Miss USA

Branch walked the stage in a sparkly, strapless dress that she paired with matching earrings.

Miss USA 2020 contestant Haley Pontius walked the runway in a vibrant shade of blue.

Miss USA 2020 contestant Haley Pontius walked the runway in a vibrant shade of blue.
Haley Pontius during Miss USA 2020.      Jessielyn Palumbo/Miss USA

Her blue gown had a strapless, corset-style bodice made from satin, as well as a floor-length, sparkle-covered skirt. The latter also had a thigh-high slit.

During Miss USA 2020, Kim Layne represented Idaho in a sleek blue dress.

During Miss USA 2020, Kim Layne represented Idaho in a sleek blue dress.
Kim Layne during Miss USA 2020.      Benjamin Askinas/Miss USA

Her sparkly dress was designed with a thigh-high slit and a cutout in the back. The sparkle from her dress caught the lights onstage.

Miss USA 2020 contestant Mariah Jane Davis had the standout look at the competition.

Miss USA 2020 contestant Mariah Jane Davis had the standout look at the competition.
Mariah Jane Davis during Miss USA 2020.      Benjamin Askinas/Miss USA

Davis' one-shoulder gown featured a thin, sheer slit across the front, and had sparkly pink details on the sleeve and waist.

Taylor Fondie wore a unique dress covered in what looked like small mirrors at the Miss USA 2020 pageant.

Taylor Fondie wore a unique dress covered in what looked like small mirrors at the Miss USA 2020 pageant.
Taylor Fondie during Miss USA 2020.      Jessielyn Palumbo/Miss USA

The reflective pieces on Fondie's sleeveless dress, which had a thigh-high slit, were seemingly red, white, and blue — though they shifted in color with the stage lighting.

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