The most bizarre national costume designs at Miss Universe 2024

At the Miss Universe pageant, Miss Nicaragua Geyssell García walked a dazzling runway behind a miniature replica of the León Cathedral, inspired by the UNESCO World Heritage Site. García wore cathedral-inspired pieces and long peacock feathers on her forearms. As she moved, her bejeweled bodysuit shimmered with flame motifs, inspired by the mythical phoenix, as the queen was introduced as she took the stage. She also wore a multicolored round hat, trimmed with a gold band. The hat represented the different lakes of Nicaragua.

Miss Venezuela Ileana Marquez Pedroza wore an outfit that made her look like she had just stepped out of the Amazon rainforest. The 28-year-old beauty wore a tan, shimmering bodysuit with green bikini-style pieces at the chest and hips. Behind the shimmering outfit was a cover designed to look like leaves and branches, transforming Pedroza into a mother of nature, peace and indigenous children, according to the pageant's introduction. To further convey this message, Pedroza had fake parrots attached to the branches of the costume and a baby doll in her arms.

Miss Zimbabwe Sakhile Dube wanted to represent the majesty of her country with an eagle-inspired dress. Sakhile, a 28-year-old fashion designer, took to the stage in a strapless gown adorned with a gold eagle head. She said on Instagram that she chose the bird to represent Zimbabwe’s natural beauty, strength and vision.

Miss India, Rhea Singha, also wore a bird-inspired outfit to honor her country's nickname. India has long been called "Sone ki Chidiya" or "Golden Bird" for its natural resources and prosperity. So the 19-year-old beauty embodied that nickname with a heavy-looking outfit that resembled a suit of armor. The outfit covered her entire body in metal and had large wings on her back.

Miss Kyrgyzstan Maya Turdalieva was inspired by the graceful snow leopards of the Tian Shan Mountains. Turdalieva, 26, took to the stage in a see-through grey jumpsuit, embellished with Swarovski sparkles to replicate the big cat’s fur pattern. The animal-inspired outfit was handmade by artisans in Kyrgyzstan, and also highlighted the conservation of wildlife in her homeland.

Miss Serbia Ivana Trisic looked like a queen as she arrived in a feathered coat and statement crown. Inspired by the Serbian coat of arms, the 30-year-old Trisic stunned in a gold and velvet outfit. Underneath the patterned coat was a gold shirt covered in feathers, with two eagle heads protruding from the shoulders. She also wore sparkling chainmail pants, black platform boots and an elaborate crystal belt.

Miss Sri Lanka Melloney Dassanayake wore a sculpture on her back inspired by Sigiriya, a natural landmark known as Lion Rock. The 25-year-old looked tiny compared to the cover, which reached above her head and shoulders. She also wore a metallic bra, a blue dress with a brass belt, colorful scarves hanging from her waist, and numerous bracelets around her arms. For a pop of color, Dassanayake wore a garland of roses and held a bouquet of pink lilies, a common flower in Sri Lanka.

Miss Netherlands Faith Landman honored her homeland's famous ceramic art with an impressive blue and white outfit. The bodice and skirt of the pure white dress were decorated with sparkling blue sequins, skillfully shaped into the flowers and windmills typical of the Netherlands. The two long sleeves were sewn from thin mesh fabric, creating a graceful and soft look. The 28-year-old beauty also wore a flower-adorned headdress and a round, double-sided card on her back. This card was exquisitely designed, simulating the famous handmade ceramic works of the city of Delft, clearly reflecting the cultural and artistic identity of the Netherlands.

Miss Trinidad and Tobago, Jenelle Thongs, brought the vibrant beauty of her home country’s coral reefs to the Miss Universe stage. Thongs lit up the stage with a bodysuit and giant feathered wings. Both pieces were designed in bright neon colors of pink, green, and blue, mimicking the exotic hues of the ocean world. Another highlight of her outfit was her coral headband, which was decorated with seashells, gemstones, and starfish-shaped pieces, matching the motifs on her bodysuit.

Miss Spain, Michelle Jiménez, wore a rose-covered gown to honor the women of her homeland. The 21-year-old beauty wore a red velvet jumpsuit with off-the-shoulder sleeves and an attached skirt. The back two-piece was covered in red velvet roses, symbolizing the passionate love of Spain. Jiménez completed her look with large, jeweled earrings, platform heels, and a bright red tiara.

Miss USA Alma Cooper took style inspiration from her country's iconic Uncle Sam. Cooper, a military intelligence officer and 22-year-old lieutenant in the U.S. Army, strode across the stage in a white jumpsuit with red stripes, matching boots, and a star-studded top hat. She also wore a long-sleeved coat that reached down to her feet. Although it appeared purple when the cameras flashed, the coat was actually blue, like the color on the American flag. The patriotic look wouldn't be complete without some fireworks. Cooper wore fake rockets on her back, designed to look like they were in the middle of exploding.

Miss Paraguay Naomi Méndez made a dramatic fashion statement on the runway. The 32-year-old arrived on stage in a layered white dress, a gold headpiece and a round shoulder structure with white flowers attached. But with a single spin, she stripped off the top layer to reveal a yellow bodysuit that looked like a suit of armor.

Miss Peru Tatiana Calmell honored Inti, the Incan sun god, with her gold two-piece and sparkling accessories. The 30-year-old walked the runway in a gold bra, gold crown, and matching high-waisted skirt with a long slit down the middle. But the most striking feature of the outfit was the artistic panels that extended from her shoulders—depicting sun rays and blocks of gold—and the sun-shaped decoration rising behind her head.

Miss Mexico, María Fernanda Beltrán Figueroa, let her colorful outfit take center stage. The 24-year-old beauty strode onto the stage with her face covered by a giant green mask.

Miss Indonesia, Clara Shafira Krebs, transformed into a majestic warrior in an outfit with impressive shoulders and a bird-headed staff. Her gorgeous outfit included a yellow corset, matching shorts, a striking red pattern on the hips and stylized wing-like shoulder decorations. The highlight was the headband, which was exquisitely designed, in harmony with the golden tassels that hung proudly.