The Miss Universe pageant has a lot to live up to, given its lofty name. But the international contest went above and beyond this weekend at the National Costume Show, a preliminary runway event leading up to the big Miss Universe 2013 show this Saturday.


Held this year in Moscow, the annual National Costume Show is intended to showcase each contestant's home country through an authentic costume... which is where it gets a little strange. Erin Brady of the United States represented us in a plastic "Transformers" costume (Michael Bay would be proud?), while Alexandra Fribourg of Sweden honored her country's Viking past in a metallic bustier and a sword. Miss Belgium Noémie Happart looked like she was dressed as the Devil complete a spiky red spear, and Miss Great Britain Amy Willerton wore royal robes so sexy we bet even Prince Philip would have a thing or two to say.


Not that all the national ensembles didn't make sense. But costumes this elaborately oversized and feather-covered (and sequin-covered and fringe-covered...) make the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show outfits look like they were picked up at J. Crew. Even your best Halloween costume wouldn't stand a chance.


Behold the wackiness that is the Miss Universe National Costume Show. More photos in the slideshow below.


Miss USA:


miss universe costumes


Miss Sweden:


miss sweden


Miss Belgium:


miss belgium


Miss Great Britain:


miss gb



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  • Miss Brazil


    Miss Brazil Jakelyne Oliveira presents her outfit, during the national costume show at the 2013 Miss Universe pageant in Moscow, Russia, on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2013. Competitors will compete for the title of Miss Universe in Moscow on Nov. 9. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)




  • Miss Great Britain


    Miss Great Britain Amy Willerton presents her outfit during the national costume show at the 2013 Miss Universe pageant in Moscow, Russia, on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2013. Competitors will compete for the title of Miss Universe in Moscow on Nov. 9. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)




  • Miss Switzerland


    Miss Switzerland Dominique Rinerknecht presents her outfit, during the national costume show at the 2013 Miss Universe pageant in Moscow, Russia, on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2013. Competitors will compete for the title of Miss Universe in Moscow on Nov. 9. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)




  • Miss Canada




  • Miss USA




  • Miss Colombia




  • Miss Hungary




  • Miss Peru




  • Miss Chile




  • Miss Lithuania




  • Miss Azerbaijan




  • Miss France




  • Miss Ghana




  • Miss Singapore




  • Miss Angola




  • Miss Haiti




  • Miss India




  • Miss Namibia




  • Miss Philippines




  • Miss Nicaragua




  • Miss Thailand




  • Miss Curacao




  • Miss Estonia




  • Miss Slovak Republic




  • Miss Sri Lanka




  • Miss Russia




  • Miss Ethiopia




  • Miss South Africa




  • Miss Argentina




  • Miss Netherlands




  • MIss Malaysia




  • Miss Ukraine




  • Miss Bulgaria




  • AP459787664381_55




  • Miss Gabon




  • Miss Italy




  • Miss Jamaica




  • Miss Turkey




  • Miss Czech Republic




  • Miss Sweden




  • Miss Mexico




  • Miss Vietnam




  • Miss Spain




  • Miss Nigeria




  • AP620245604177_48




  • AP666593400069_54




  • AP670063132456_64




  • Miss Paraguay




  • Miss Norway




  • Miss Indonesia




  • Miss Belgium





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