We can't help but love a big sparkly pageant, and Miss Universe always delivers. The show airs from Moscow on November 9 on NBC, but the contest already started with the National Costume competition a few days ago. These costumes are meant to tell a story about where the contestant is from, and while many were tributes to the country's cultural heritage ... some were a little out there. Like, way out there.
Eline de Pool, Miss Curacao
Photo by Darren Decker. © Miss Universe L.P., LLLP.
Curacao is known for its many beautiful and unique reptiles. Gorgeous Miss Curacao is celebrating this by wearing one that looks like he's mounting her.
Cindy Mejia, Miss Peru
Photo by Patrick Prather. © Miss Universe L.P., LLLP.
This glammed up traditional costume is very cute, but the creepy baby doll looks like it's about to eat her face, Walking Dead-style.
Riza Santos, Miss Canada
Photo by Darren Decker. © Miss Universe L.P., LLLP.
Considering "sexy cop" is a thing in the states, this shouldn't surprise us, but when we think Canadian Mounted Police, we think of a brave horse-riding police officer. Not cleavage.
Kistina Karjalainin, Miss Estonia
Photo by Darren Decker. © Miss Universe L.P., LLLP.
Icy blond Miss Estonia reminds us of someone here … something about her …Baroness von Schraeder! We always had a soft spot for Maria's nemesis in The Sound of Music.
Hinarani de Longeaux, Miss France
Photo by Darren Decker. © Miss Universe L.P., LLLP.
You guys! The Eiffel Tower is in France! Did you know that the Eiffel Tower is a landmark in France?
Amy Willerton, Miss Great Britain
Photo by Darren Decker. © Miss Universe L.P., LLLP.
We get where Miss Great Britain is going here, but we doubt we'll see Kate Middleton rocking the saucy queen look anytime soon.
Stephanie Tency, Miss Netherlands
Photo by Darren Decker. © Miss Universe L.P., LLLP.
Tulips? Check. Windmill? Check. Canal fanning out from backside? Check! Why, it's Miss Netherlands!
Erin Brady, Miss USA
Photo by Darren Decker. © Miss Universe L.P., LLLP.
Miss USA as a patriotic Transformer. By the look on her face, Erin Brady is as mortified as we are by this dinged-up Halloween costume.
Doris Hofmann, Miss Austria
Photo by Darren Decker. © Miss Universe L.P., LLLP.
Since we already have a Baroness, Miss Austria decided to dress as one of the Von Trapp children. And then made a really poor shoe choice. Maybe she left her booties on the plane?
Sharie de Castro, Miss British Virgin Islands
Photo by Darren Decker. © Miss Universe L.P., LLLP.
This swirling blue number really does invoke the crystal clear waters washing up on the BVIs (yes, wish we were there), but why oh why is this poor woman handcuffed to her gown?
Tanya Edwards is a contributing writer for iVillage. Follow her on Twitter and Google+.
A version of this story originally appeared on iVillage.