Miss Canada, Chanel Beckenlehner, poses for the judges wearing a hockey-themed costume during the national costume show at the 63rd annual Miss Universe Competition in Miami, Fla., Wednesday, Jan ...

Dozens of women from around the globe represented their country’s culture through stunning costumes during Miss Universe 2023 in El Salvador. The National Costume Show, held on Nov. 16, 2023,… ...

Miss Philippines Michelle Marquez Dee attends the 72nd Miss Universe Competition - National Costume Show at Gimnasio Nacional Jose Adolfo Pineda on November 16, 2023 in San Salvador, El Salvador.

That’s a serious question, but with a delightfully nonsensical answer: All served as inspiration for national costumes on display during the 2023 Miss Universe pageant’s preliminary competition.

Proud Miss Universe competitors took part in the National Costume Show at Gimnasio Nacional Jose Adolfo Pineda on November 16th, 2023 in San Salvador, El Salvador. The 72nd Miss Universe 2023 is ...

At Miss Universe 2024, it was all those things — and much more — as the annual pageant kicked off with its flamboyant national costume competition Thursday evening.

Miss Laos, Payengxa Lor walks onstage during The 71st Miss Universe Competition National Costume Show at New Orleans Morial Convention Center on January 11, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

All inspired national costumes on display at the 2023 Miss Universe pageant. What do dictionaries, plantains, fighter planes and the Swiss Guard have in common?