I've just discovered Miss Universe Costume show. There's a lot to unpack here

[Peasepuddingbloodycold]

Stills of the national costumes. wwd.com/eye/scoops/gallery/miss-universe-national-costumes-2023-photos-1235467659/the-71st-miss-universe-competition-national-costume-show-45/

Video of the national costumes. The commentary is terrible.

Well that brightened up my Sunday morning - certainly some variety. I went from oh that’s pretty to I don’t understand that to WTAF. thanks for sharing x

I was 😮at Guatemala but then I got to El Salvador. Blimey.

Wow! How very odd. I see from the Youtube comments this handy list of who took part.

0:12 Albania
0:43 Angola
1:28 Argentina
2:04 Armenia
2:36 Aruba
3:09 Australia
3:46 Bahrain
4:23 Belgium
5:15 Belize
5:50 Bhutan
6:27 Bolivia
7:05 Brazil
8:03 British Virgin Island
8:39 Bulgaria
9:16 Cambodia
9:58 Cameroon
10:41 Canada
11:15 Cayman Island
11:53 Chile
12:30 China
13:16 Colombia
13:57 Costa Rica
14:32 Croatia
15:08 Curacao
15:50 Czech Republic
16:23 Dominican Republic
16:59 Ecuador
17:37 El Salvador
18:16 Equatorial Guinea
18:51 Finland
19:23 France
20:03 Germany
20:40 Ghana
21:18 Great Britain
22:02 Greece
22:42 Guatemala
23:27 Haiti
24:04 Honduras
24:39 Iceland
25:15 India
25:57 Indonesia
26:40 Italy
27:17 Jamaica
27:51 Japan
28:40 Korea
29:21 Kosovo
30:00 Kyrgyzstan
30:39 Laos
31:17 Lebanon
31:54 Malaysia
32:31 Malta
33:04 Mauritius
33:41 Mexico
34:22 Myanmar
35:29 Namibia
36:10 Nepal
36:49 Netherlands
37:27 Nicaragua
38:03 Nigeria
38:40 Norway
39:20 Panama
39:58 Paraguay
40:44 Peru
41:17 Philippines
41:53 Poland
42:33 Portugal
43:06 Puerto Rico
43:44 Russia
44:20 Saint Lucia
44:56 Seychilles
45:37 Singapore
46:14 Slovak Republic
46:49 South Africa
47:28 Spain
48:08 Switzerland
48:49 Thailand
49:31 The Bahamas
50:12 Trinidad and Tobaco
50:54 Turkiye
51:36 Ukraine
52:28 Uruguay
53:13 USA
54:08 Venezuela
54:51 Vietnam

USA woman looked like she could barely walk. I wonder how far in advance they'd tested out her costume.

Ours was more restrained and tasteful than most of the others I've just sampled.

Surprised that Russia were allowed to compete.

I can’t see how this represents the Universe when only earthlings are present. Where are the Martians? What about the Klingon Empire?

Probably Earthist, I expect some organisation of pink hairs will be protesting soon.

Ukraine had a lovely costume and got a big cheer.

I agree, the commentary is absolutely dire. What on earth is this, anyway? Part of Miss Universe or a separate thing?

Ooh...thank you OP!
Wear the Be the You are the

One of my favourites commentary's is Armenia - "Bringing attention to Armenia's genocidal history".

Also, France, for which Bastille rhymes with still even when coupled with real.

("favourites commentary's" - the shame!).

Many thanks @Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g for the timings!

Impressive how many costumes have a bird on a hat.

OP I love you for this. Thank you for brightening up my day! Pissing myself. Am watching this then Misbehaviour on BBC iplayer (film with the following premise...)

The 1970 Miss World competition took place in London, hosted by the American comedian Bob Hope. At that time Miss World was the most-watched TV show in the world with over 100 million viewers. Arguing that beauty competitions objectify women, the newly formed women's liberation movement achieved overnight fame by invading the stage and disrupting the live broadcast of the competition. When the show resumed, the result caused uproar.

Yes
to whoever has to come up with the rhyming ditties.

It's same person who came up with
It's never too early for a ten from Shirley
I need
Whether it's the announcer talking about a Volcanoo (Cameroon) or the rhymes themselves: She takes no vacation from saluting her nation, this is quality

Ah, Lagerfeld. Okay then, I thought Germany was playing a Bond villain for a sec

Why TF did the Netherlands decide to go with a stroopwafel?!? Batshit.

"It's great when your skirt/is also dessert" I'm dying!

OP I love you for this. Thank you for brightening up my day! Pissing myself. Am watching this then Misbehaviour on BBC iplayer (film with the following premise...)

And thank you for the film recommendation - enjoying it now.

Glad you enjoyed it.
Gugu Mbatha-Raw was stylised incredibly well - if you look at photographs of Jennifer Hosten, they look like they could be sisters. Rhys Ifans got Eric Morley spot on.