The wildest national costumes from the 72nd annual Miss Universe pageant

Samantha Grindell,Anneta Konstantinides,Amanda KrauseJan 14, 2024, 15:19 IST

Contestants wore bold ensembles at the 2023 Miss Universe national costume contest.Courtesy of Miss Universe

The Miss Universe costume contest took place in El Salvador on Thursday night.
Contestants participated in the annual celebration of their cultures with colorful and daring looks.

The 2023 Miss Universe competition is in full swing, with 84 hopeful contestants gathering in El Salvador to compete for the biggest title in pageants.

The Miss Universe finals will take place on Saturday. However, on Thursday, the contestants participated in the annual costume contest.

The costume contest is always a highlight of the pageant, as it gives participants the chance to honor their countries with eye-catching ensembles.

This year, Miss Universe hopefuls wore everything from full-body feathers to elaborate backpieces.

Miss Albania Endi Demneri soared to new heights with sparkling golden wings that were the centerpiece of her national costume.

Miss Albania 2023.Courtesy of Miss Universe

Miss Angola Ana Bárbara Da Silva Coimbra brought a splash of color to the Miss Universe stage with her costume, which was inspired by the women of the Mumuhuila tribe.

Miss Angola 2023.Courtesy of Miss Universe

Miss Angola Ana Bárbara Da Silva Coimbra brought a splash of color to the Miss Universe stage with her costume, which was inspired by the women of the Mumuhuila tribe.

Miss Argentina Yamile Dajud shimmered as bright as the sun as she took the Miss Universe stage in a sparkling gold costume.

Miss Argentina 2023.Courtesy of Miss Universe

Miss Aruba Karol Croes wore a colorful outfit inspired by an indigenous queen during the national costume contest.

Miss Aruba 2023.Courtesy of Miss Universe

Miss Bahamas Melissa Ingraham sported a national costume that paid homage to vintage Bahamian market dolls.

Miss Bahamas 2023.Courtesy of Miss Universe

Miss Bolivia Estefany Rivero brought the drama to Miss Universe with her national costume inspired by the Bolivian Amazonian warrior.

Miss Bolivia 2023.Courtesy of Miss Universe

Miss Brazil Maria Brechane's national costume was also inspired by birds, a common theme during this year's contest.

Miss Brazil 2023.Courtesy of Miss Universe

Miss Bulgaria Yuliia Pavlikova dripped in gold from head to toe with her national costume.

Miss Bulgaria 2023.Courtesy of Miss Universe

Miss Cameroon Issie Princesse paid tribute to the women's empowerment movement with her national costume.

Miss Cameroon 2023.Courtesy of Miss Universe.

Miss Canada Madison Kvaltin made a statement with her national costume that paid tribute to countries all over the world.

Miss Canada 2023.Courtesy of Miss Universe

Miss Chile Celeste Viel spread giant wings as she walked across the stage.

Miss Chile 2023.Courtesy of Miss Universe.

Miss Costa Rica Lisbeth Valverde Brenes was decked out in pearls, sequins, and tulle.

Miss Costa Rica 2023.Courtesy of Miss Universe

Miss Curaçao Kim Rossen wore what was arguably the most daring look seen during the costume contest.

Miss Curaçao 2023.Courtesy of Miss Universe

Miss Denmark Nikoline Uhrenholt Hansen brought a mythical sea dragon to life with her costume.

Miss Denmark 2023.Courtesy of Miss Universe

Miss Ecuador Delary Stoffers took inspiration from a train for the costume contest.

Miss Ecuador 2023.Courtesy of Miss Universe

Miss El Salvador Isabella García-Manzo's costume lit up, turning her into a volcano onstage.

Miss El Savador 2023.Courtesy of Miss Universe

Miss France Diane Leyre wore an official costume from Le Moulin Rouge, the famous French cabaret.

Miss France 2023.Courtesy of Miss Universe

Miss Guatemala Michelle Cohn sported a bejeweled look inspired by her country's national flower.

Miss Guatemala 2023.Courtesy of Miss Universe

Miss Guyana Lisa Andrea Narine brought the rainforest to the Miss Universe stage.

Miss Guyana 2023.Courtesy of Miss Universe

Miss Honduras Zuheilyn Clemente donned a traditional costume for the contest.

Miss Honduras 2023.Courtesy of Miss Universe

Miss Indonesia Fabiënne Nicole Groeneveld wore a statement costume that showcased Indonesian art and represented her life journey.

Miss Indonesia 2023.Courtesy of Miss Universe

Miss Ireland Aishah Akorede embodied the Celtic goddess Cliodhna onstage.

Miss Ireland 2023.Courtesy of Miss Universe

Miss Jamaica Jordanne Lauren Levy also found inspiration in the sea.

Miss Jamaica 2023.Courtesy of Miss Universe

Miss Kazakhstan Tomiris Zair looked like a warrior when she stepped onstage.

Miss Kazakhstan 2023.Courtesy of Miss Universe

Miss Laos Phaimany Lathsabanthao was inspired by textiles and her mother.

Miss Laos 2023.Courtesy of Miss Universe

Miss Latvia Kate Alexeeva stepped onstage looking like the national flower of her home country.

Miss Latvia 2023.Courtesy of Miss Universe

Miss Malta Ella Portelli floated across the stage like a butterfly.

Miss Malta 2023.Courtesy of Miss Universe

Miss Myanmar Amara Bo was dressed like a "Burmese Virtue Tree."

Miss Myanmar 2023.Courtesy of Miss Universe

Miss Mexico Melissa Flores' outfit was full of bright colors.

Miss Mexico 2023.Courtesy of Miss Universe

Miss Namibia Jameela Uiras wore a costume that transformed her into a symbol of her country.

Miss Namibia 2023.Courtesy of Miss Universe

Miss Netherlands Rikkie Kollé sported a costume that transformed in real time.

Miss Netherlands 2023.Courtesy of Miss Universe

Miss Nicaragua Sheynnis Palacios' costume was designed to look like a bird that is native to her country.

Miss Nicaragua 2023.Courtesy of Miss Universe

Miss Nigeria Ugochi Mitchel Ihezue paid tribute to three Nigerian queens with her costume.

Miss Nigeria 2023.Courtesy of Miss Universe

A song inspired Miss Panama Natasha Vargas' costume.

Miss Panama 2023.Courtesy of Miss Universe

Miss Paraguay Elicena Andrada Orrego's ensemble also honored music from her country.

Miss Paraguay 2023.Courtesy of Miss Universe.

Miss Peru Camila Escribens looked to ancient pre-Colombian civilizations for her national costume contest outfit.

Miss Peru 2023.Courtesy of Miss Universe

Miss Philippines Michelle Dee turned herself into a plane for the costume contest.

Miss Philippines 2023.Courtesy of Miss Universe

Miss Puerto Rico Karla Guilfú Acevedo's costume celebrated a specific area of her country.

Miss Puerto Rico 2023.Courtesy of Miss Universe

Miss Saint Lucia Earlyca Frederick wore an all-gold ensemble to honor her nation's Nobel Laureates.

Miss Saint Lucia 2023.Courtesy of Miss Universe

Like many contestants, Miss Slovakia Kinga Puhova looked to her country's landscape for her costume.

Miss Slovakia 2023.Courtesy of Miss Universe

Switzerland Lorena Santen put her own spin on the Swiss Guard's uniform for the costume contest.

Miss Switzerland 2023.Courtesy of Miss Universe

Miss Thailand Anntonia Porsild's costume turned her into a goddess.

Miss Thailand 2023.Courtesy of Miss Universe

Miss Trinidad and Tobago Faith Gillezeau paid tribute to both a bird and carnival with her costume.

Miss Trinidad and Tobago 2023.Courtesy of Miss Universe

The mothers of her country inspired Miss Ukraine Angelina Usanova's outfit.

Miss Ukraine 2023.Courtesy of Miss Universe

Miss USA Noelia Voigt looked to America's most iconic landmarks for her costume.

Miss USA 2023.Courtesy of Miss Universe

Miss Venezuela Diana Silva's red outfit nodded to a festival.

Miss Venezuela 2023.Courtesy of Miss Universe

Miss Vietnam Bùi Quỳnh Hoa's celebrated worship of the mother.

Miss Vietnam 2023.Courtesy of Miss Universe.

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The wildest national costumes from the 72nd annual Miss Universe pageant

Miss Albania Endi Demneri soared to new heights with sparkling golden wings that were the centerpiece of her national costume.

Miss Angola Ana Bárbara Da Silva Coimbra brought a splash of color to the Miss Universe stage with her costume, which was inspired by the women of the Mumuhuila tribe.

Miss Argentina Yamile Dajud shimmered as bright as the sun as she took the Miss Universe stage in a sparkling gold costume.

Miss Aruba Karol Croes wore a colorful outfit inspired by an indigenous queen during the national costume contest.

Miss Bahamas Melissa Ingraham sported a national costume that paid homage to vintage Bahamian market dolls.

Miss Bolivia Estefany Rivero brought the drama to Miss Universe with her national costume inspired by the Bolivian Amazonian warrior.

Miss Brazil Maria Brechane's national costume was also inspired by birds, a common theme during this year's contest.

Miss Bulgaria Yuliia Pavlikova dripped in gold from head to toe with her national costume.

Miss Cameroon Issie Princesse paid tribute to the women's empowerment movement with her national costume.

Miss Canada Madison Kvaltin made a statement with her national costume that paid tribute to countries all over the world.

Miss Chile Celeste Viel spread giant wings as she walked across the stage.

Miss Costa Rica Lisbeth Valverde Brenes was decked out in pearls, sequins, and tulle.

Miss Curaçao Kim Rossen wore what was arguably the most daring look seen during the costume contest.

Miss Denmark Nikoline Uhrenholt Hansen brought a mythical sea dragon to life with her costume.

Miss Ecuador Delary Stoffers took inspiration from a train for the costume contest.

Miss El Salvador Isabella García-Manzo's costume lit up, turning her into a volcano onstage.

Miss France Diane Leyre wore an official costume from Le Moulin Rouge, the famous French cabaret.

Miss Guatemala Michelle Cohn sported a bejeweled look inspired by her country's national flower.

Miss Guyana Lisa Andrea Narine brought the rainforest to the Miss Universe stage.

Miss Honduras Zuheilyn Clemente donned a traditional costume for the contest.

Miss Indonesia Fabiënne Nicole Groeneveld wore a statement costume that showcased Indonesian art and represented her life journey.

Miss Ireland Aishah Akorede embodied the Celtic goddess Cliodhna onstage.

Miss Jamaica Jordanne Lauren Levy also found inspiration in the sea.

Miss Kazakhstan Tomiris Zair looked like a warrior when she stepped onstage.

Miss Laos Phaimany Lathsabanthao was inspired by textiles and her mother.

Miss Latvia Kate Alexeeva stepped onstage looking like the national flower of her home country.

Miss Malta Ella Portelli floated across the stage like a butterfly.

Miss Myanmar Amara Bo was dressed like a "Burmese Virtue Tree."

Miss Mexico Melissa Flores' outfit was full of bright colors.

Miss Namibia Jameela Uiras wore a costume that transformed her into a symbol of her country.

Miss Netherlands Rikkie Kollé sported a costume that transformed in real time.

Miss Nicaragua Sheynnis Palacios' costume was designed to look like a bird that is native to her country.

Miss Nigeria Ugochi Mitchel Ihezue paid tribute to three Nigerian queens with her costume.

A song inspired Miss Panama Natasha Vargas' costume.

Miss Paraguay Elicena Andrada Orrego's ensemble also honored music from her country.

Miss Peru Camila Escribens looked to ancient pre-Colombian civilizations for her national costume contest outfit.

Miss Philippines Michelle Dee turned herself into a plane for the costume contest.

Miss Puerto Rico Karla Guilfú Acevedo's costume celebrated a specific area of her country.

Miss Saint Lucia Earlyca Frederick wore an all-gold ensemble to honor her nation's Nobel Laureates.

Like many contestants, Miss Slovakia Kinga Puhova looked to her country's landscape for her costume.

Switzerland Lorena Santen put her own spin on the Swiss Guard's uniform for the costume contest.

Miss Thailand Anntonia Porsild's costume turned her into a goddess.

Miss Trinidad and Tobago Faith Gillezeau paid tribute to both a bird and carnival with her costume.

The mothers of her country inspired Miss Ukraine Angelina Usanova's outfit.

Miss USA Noelia Voigt looked to America's most iconic landmarks for her costume.

Miss Venezuela Diana Silva's red outfit nodded to a festival.

Miss Vietnam Bùi Quỳnh Hoa's celebrated worship of the mother.