LIST: 10 national costumes that stood out at Miss Universe 2025
Over 100 delegates from around the world showed off their cultures in the national costume competition of this year’s Miss Universe.
During the event on Wednesday, Nov. 19, the contestants lit up the stage in vibrant outfits that celebrated the pride and traditions of their home countries. Each look carried its own story and stunning details, but a few stood out—not just for their visual impact, but for how beautifully they captured the spirit of their nation.
Here are PhilSTAR L!fe’s top national costume picks from the 74th edition of the pageant, in no particular order.
Estonia
Brigitta Schaback of Estonia stood out with her costume paying homage to their national animal, the wolf. Looking like a mythical warrior, she wore an armored bodice adorned with gold beadwork.
It also had realistic fur hems like a wolf in her suit and tall boots. Her headdress had a wolf with an illuminated crescent-moon prop attached to the back.
She completed the look with a bedazzled hunting bow and arrow.
Philippines
The Philippines' Ahtisa Manalo was a fiesta queen with her ensemble, Festejada, made by Mak Tumang.
Manalo wore a classic camisa, saya, and a pañuelo that draped across her shoulders. Her top is made from hand-made piña and has an embroidery pattern of abanico and palay.
The piece, which showcases the country's vibrant fiesta culture, features different major festivals across the country.
Her skirt, which was made from dyed fabric adorned with hand-cut, die-cut, and heat-pressed petals, more than 65,000 petals, is a tribute to three iconic Philippine festivals. Its three-tiered structure took inspiration from Pampanga's Giant Lantern Festival, featuring parol elements like the Tambur, Siku-Siku, and Palimbun. The vivid color scheme reflects the Pahiyas Festival of Lucban, while the texturized flourishes evoke the floral blooms of Baguio’s Panagbenga Festival.
She topped off the look with a Peineta crown that is "adorned with tambourine and filigree-inspired gold accessories, mirroring the opulence of traditional Philippine jewelry and the artistry of our goldsmithing heritage."
Mexico
Mexico’s Fátima Bosch delivered a festive and culturally rich presentation, proudly showcasing her country’s vibrant heritage through a costume infused with Aztec-inspired artistry. Her ensemble featured an opulent blend of gold, green, and red motifs, accented with striking rose imagery that added a romantic touch to the overall look.
She completed the ensemble with a grand, ornate headdress adorned with geometric patterns and deep red roses, creating a regal and commanding presence. Behind her, large red petals fanned outward, swaying gracefully with every step of her pasarela.
Bonaire
Bonaire's Ruby Pouchet took pride in her country's rich marine life. She wore a nude body suit adorned with royal blue jewels, with coral shapes, starfish, and sea creatures.
The enormous headdress and large blue fan-like backpiece featured colorful underwater reefs, while the flowing blue train and net-like details showed the diverse living seascape, celebrating the rich marine life and natural beauty of Bonaire.
Turks and Caicos Islands
Bereniece Dickenson of the Turks and Caicos Islands channeled The Brown Pelican, a tribute to their national bird.
The costume, designed by Annisa Banyuwangi, featured intricate gold details in what appears to be an armored bodice. It also features enormous feathers that had a sunburst effect, literally spotlighting her on stage.
Looking like a bird goddess, she wore a headdress that crowns her look with feathers, jewels, and metallic accents,
She stood out with an enormous piece composed of two large, golden birds.
"Golden and earthy tones unfold around me like unfolding wings, each layer crafted to reflect the warm essence of home. Just as the pelican dives fearlessly and ascends with power, the people of Turks & Caicos face life with unity, hope, and unwavering determination," she wrote.
"Every feather is a reminder of where I come from—a nation that dreams, believes, and soars. Wearing this masterpiece feels like carrying my islands with me on the Miss Universe stage," she added.
Bolivia
Bolivia's Yessica Hausermann showcased the country's textile artisans on their Bicentennial.
Her colorful ensemble, designed by Sonia Aviles, featured handmade mini wool pompoms that symbolize "multiethnicity and diversity of the peoples of Bolivia."
It also had a wide, cape-like structure extending from her arms, covered with circular beaded patterns resembling traditional textile designs.
The look boasted a colorful adornment of feathers and crystals from head to the stiletto, further emphasizing cultural artistry.
New Zealand
New Zealand's Abby Sturgin wore what appears to be an ocean-themed costume. It featured a bedazzled bodice in purple and aqua colors with a bejeweled coral-like headpiece and matching scepter.
The stunning part of the ensemble was the wave-shaped accent, mimicking the flowing waters of the sea.
Venezuela
Stephany Abasali of Venezuela also paid homage to her country's rich marine life. Looking like a marine deity, the beauty queen wore a nude bodysuit adorned with scale-like crystals. Her ethereal look was a standout with its sparkling fringe that cascades from the arms, which looked like a flowing ocean water, as well as the dramatic headdress that had coral-looking crystals, with a giant pear shell as a backdrop that enhances the piece.
The ensemble also features lifelike sea turtles (which were fluttering during her walk) and colorful coral reefs.
Indonesia
Indonesia's Sanly Liuu brought Balinese heritage on stage wearing a costume titled "Bali Yadnya," which is a tribute to her country's sacred Balinese tradition of offerings, specifically selfless devotion.
She wore a maroon and gold dress that symbolizes "purity, spiritual strength, and cultural magnificence," with a golden crown. She also holds a golden jar with what appear to be golden fruits, which serves as its offering.
"Bali Yadnya is more than a costume; it is a prayer brought to life, a visual hymn of faith and gratitude. Every golden stroke and carved detail embodies the belief that beauty itself is a form of worship," Liuu wrote. "Wearing this costume allows me to bring that devotion onto the world stage, where tradition meets grace, and faith becomes art."
Côte d'Ivoire
Miss Universe Côte d'Ivoire 2025 Olivia Yace was undoubtedly a standout with her vibrant golden costume. According to her team, her national costume was a nod to the heritage of their Akan people. She wore a handcrafted ensemble adorned with golden beads and traditional Akan cloth. She also donned golden wings, which they refer to as a nod to "Dove of Peace."
The bust also featured an elephant-shaped figure, which is a national emblem of the country. She topped off the look with a calabash-shaped crown that symbolizes the life and hard work of Ivorian women
"In this majestic attire, Olivia doesn't just wear a costume; she carries the pride of a nation, celebrating the beauty, femininity, and bravery of Ivorian women," it wrote.
Outlandish costumes
While some stood out with their stunning costumes, there were those who drew attention with their bizarre-looking ensembles. Sweden's Daniella Lundqvist looked funky as she wore a disco-inspired costume, complete with musical notes, a guitar, and a keyboard as her props. The ensemble was a tribute to the country's homegrown artist, the iconic ABBA.
Meanwhile, Norway's Leonora Lysglimt-Rødland amused the crowd with her salmon culture. Her grand reveal included opening the costume's body like a theater curtain, fully embracing the marine animal.
Nathalie Yasmin from the Netherlands shone in an outfit inspired by Vincent Van Gogh's "Almond Blossom" (1890). Her ensemble was styled like a living floral sculpture.
