The 35 wildest state costumes from the 2026 Miss USA pageant

• The 2026 Miss USA pageant is in full swing, kicking off with the costume contest on Monday.
• Contestants wore colorful, decorative outfits representing their states.
• Miss Nevada's costume looked like the Vegas strip, and Miss Idaho carried a massive fish.

Miss USA is upon us at last.

It's been another year of drama leading up to the pageant, with The CW pulling out of airing the finals a week before showtime. Not to fear, though, you can stream it online at the Queen Beauty Network.

Despite the hiccup, the 2026 Miss USA pageant kicked off on Monday with the state costume competition. The contestants took the stage in dramatic costumes that represented their states, wearing feathers, sheer bodysuits, and daring backpieces.

Take a look at the wildest costumes of the night.

Miss Alabama was in full bloom as she paid tribute to the camelia, her state's official flower.

Samantha Havenstrite walked down the Miss USA stage in a strapless white gown that featured sculpted camelia petals attached to the waist, as well as a matching camelia headdress. The pageant queen said she wanted to honor the resilience of the "rose of winter," as the camelia can still bloom during the coldest of months.

Since the camelia is also an important emblem of the House of Chanel, Havenstrite incorporated pearl details as a reference to the famous French luxury fashion label.

Miss Arizona brought Cupid to life on the Miss USA stage.

Kaitlyn Humphrey was inspired by Arizona's nickname as the "Valentine State," which it earned after gaining statehood on February 14, 1912. The pageant queen wore a sparkling red bodysuit with a sweetheart neckline, which she paired with baby-pink feathered wings.

She accessorized the outfit with a gold headpiece that curved into a heart shape, as well as a matching bow and arrow.

Miss California took inspiration from two queens, one mythical and the other modern, for her state costume.

Acacia McBride wore a sparkling black-and-gold long-sleeved bodysuit designed to evoke the armor of Calafia, the warrior queen who rules over the island of California in the 16th-century novel "Las Sergas de Esplandián" by Garci Rodríguez de Montalvo. McBride wore a matching headpiece that resembled a (very glamorous) helmet.

On the official Miss California Instagram page, McBride gave credit to another queen who served as her inspiration.

"Queen A channeling Queen B at Miss USA," the caption read alongside the bee emoji, familiar to every Beyoncé fan.

Miss Connecticut glittered from head to toe as she paid tribute to her state, which is home to the "submarine capital of the world."

Jaeden Hamelly's sparkling bodysuit and dramatic backpiece were made by her mother and brother and featured thousands of rhinestones.

The navy-blue outfit was designed to replicate the USS Connecticut rising through the waves, which were sculpted out of lace.

Miss Delaware represented the chemical capital of the world.

Julia Hatoum wore a silver corset and shorts beneath a white, floor-length lab coat with a train. The costume was decorated with metallic hoops around her torso that resembled electron shells of silicon.

She aimed to highlight her career as a chemical engineer and show that Delaware is a state of innovation. Hatoum also carried a conical flask in each hand.

Miss District of Columbia commemorated America's 250th birthday with her Miss USA state costume.

On her Instagram, Kennedy Lucas wrote that she wanted her costume to honor the country's history "while celebrating the progress, possibility, and many voices that continue shaping our country."

The star-spangled ensemble featured a red-and-blue bodysuit decorated with gold stars and matching gloves. Lucas also wore a headpiece that featured the Washington Monument against a backdrop of fireworks.

Miss Florida looked pretty in pink as she brought her state's beloved flamingo to Miss USA.

Aileen Cerchiara's state costume featured over 10,000 pink crystals to honor the flamingo, which is native to Florida.

Cerchiara's ensemble also featured diamond chains and a large feathered backpiece that looked ready for a Las Vegas stage. She accessorized with a feathered headpiece and sparkling pink boots.

Miss Hawaii's bejeweled ensemble paid tribute to the hibiscus, her state's official flower.

The centerpiece of Darja Bassut's state costume, designed by Simón Villalba, was her backpiece of large crimson hibiscus petals, which shimmered in the light.

Bassut also wore a sparkling yellow bodysuit with matching gloves and thigh-high boots, along with a feathered headpiece.

Miss Georgia's sporty look embodied the spirit of the Masters Tournament.

Jade Kircus looked to the Masters Tournament, which takes place in Augusta, Georgia, each year, for her costume.

The outfit looked like a sparkly version of a golf uniform. The costume — adorned with pink azaleas, which are famous in Georgia — included a visor, boots, and a belt with a golf ball on the waist.

There was something fishy about Miss Idaho's state costume.

Katie Tetreault's costume was inspired by Snake River, which flows through Idaho. Her sparkling fringe bodysuit and shimmering blue train evoked the water, while her backpiece was a magnified version of the cutthroat trout, Idaho's state fish.

Miniature versions of the trout also appeared on Tetreault's headdress and skirt. The costume was designed by Kennedy Gasper.

Miss Illinois' costume paid tribute to her state's mineral and her family's legacy.

Towering turquoise and purple crystals jutted out from the backpiece and headdress of Vivica Lewandowski's glittering costume, which honors the fact that Illinois is home to the "fluorite capital of America."

The crystal holds special meaning for Lewandowski. Her great-grandfather founded a fluorite mine in the state, adding deeper history to her Miss USA costume.

Miss Indiana honored the women from her home state who built planes during World War II.

Eniola Oke is a reservist in the US Air Force, so she is passionate about celebrating the roles women have played in aviation history.

Her costume celebrates the Indiana women of World War II who built the P-47 Thunderbolt. Her silver-and-green bodysuit resembled a plane, and she wore a headpiece modeled after the P-47.

Miss Kansas looked ready for takeoff as she took the Miss USA stage in an aviation-inspired costume.

Madilynn Becker wanted to celebrate her state's aerospace industry, which includes more than 450 aviation companies.

Becker's costume featured a sparkling navy-blue bodysuit, decorated with gold piping and buttons that matched her shimmering fringe shoulder pads. She accessorized the look with a matching pilot's cap and a winged backpiece, decorated with stars and stripes.

Miss Louisiana showed her school spirit as she took the Miss USA stage in a costume celebrating her alma mater's mascot.

Ella Clark combined Louisiana's Mardi Gras spirit with Louisiana State University's iconic tigers for her purple-and-gold state costume, designed by Simón Villalba to honor the school's colors.

Clark's costume featured furry thigh-high boots, which matched her backpiece. Purple feathers decorated her headdress and backpiece, and purple gems glittered on her bodysuit.

Miss Maine took inspiration from local literature.

Mykala Green's costume comprised a pink, bedazzled leotard, a tiered train with ruffles, and an umbrella designed to look like a spider web. It was inspired by author E.B. White, who lived and wrote in Maine; the story of friendship in his novel "Charlotte's Web"; and Green's late best friend, Nikki.

Green designed her costume in collaboration with former Miss Massachusetts Peri Caron.

Miss Maryland transformed herself into the Baltimore Oriole, her state's bird, for the costume contest.

Designed by Kimberly Mottashard, Holly Plank's black-and-orange feathered dress coordinated with her backpiece, which resembled massive bird wings. A feathered headpiece completed her transformation into an Oriole.

Plank said she chose the Oriole for her costume because it's a songbird, reflecting both her love of Maryland and music.

Miss Massachusetts celebrated Dr. Seuss with her playful costume.

Kayshauna Montaño wanted to honor the children's author with her costume, as he was a resident of her home state.

Some of Suess' most beloved characters were incorporated into her ensemble, which was created by Dr. Seuss Enterprises and David Rosinski. The Grinch and Horton from "Horton Hears a Who" were embroidered onto her train, her sleeves had the iconic stripes from "Cat in the Hat," and her headpiece said "Dr. Seuss" in glittery letters.

Miss Michigan celebrated the Great Lakes with her sparkly look.

Amber Uhler embodied everything about the Great Lakes state with her costume. Her sparkly dress and train looked like water, while her headpiece resembled the Mackinac Bridge.

Her backpiece tied it all together, designed to look like two lighthouses watching over her.

Miss Minnesota brought the Minnesota Vikings to life when she took the stage.

Rachel Betterley took inspiration from Viking lore with her costume, turning herself into the Goddess of Valhalla.

The look, which included a spear and a winged headpiece, also celebrated Minnesota's NFL team with its yellow-and-purple color scheme.

Miss Missouri paid homage to one of her state's most famous residents, Bob Barker.

Madison Beck celebrated Missouri Hall of Famer Bob Barker with a "The Price is Right"-inspired costume.

Her gold-and-red bodysuit had a dollar sign on it, and a red cape trailed behind her. The showstopping element of her costume, though, was her large backpiece, designed to look like The Big Wheel from "The Price is Right." It glittered as she walked the runway.

Miss Montana honored the bitterroot flower with her state costume.

Montana's state flower, the bitterroot, only blooms for a short time, bringing a flash of color to the state each spring.

Lisbeth Fernández wanted to capture the fleeting beauty with her costume, designed by Kirsten Regalado. Swaths of fabric flowed down the arms of her sparkly orange dress, and she carried a staff with a depiction of a flower on it. Her large backpiece was made to look like a bitterroot in bloom, with feathers in pink, purple, and orange forming the flower's shape.

Miss Nebraska looked to one of the Omaha zoo's favorite animals for her costume.

The peacocks at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium have been known to wander and have become a favorite sight for area residents.

Emily Lenser turned herself into the eye-catching bird for the night, pairing a sparkly bodysuit and fringed skirt with feathered boots and a backpiece that mimicked the shape of a real peacock's feathers.

Miss Nevada transformed into Sin City for the costume contest.

Not only is Las Vegas renowned in Nevada, but Natalie Bode has a personal connection to it, as she works as a TV reporter covering the World Series of Poker.

Her costume reflected her love for the city, pairing her blue bodysuit and gloves with a cape featuring Vegas iconography. Her backpiece tied it all together, as it featured the Las Vegas skyline and a flush of cards over her head.

Miss New Hampshire embodied the beauty of the state's purple lilac.

LaBonne's sparkly ensemble was designed to look like a lilac at every turn, from the petal detailing on her bodysuit to the flower headpiece. She also carried ribbons of fabric that looked like petals hanging from her hands.

Ladybugs were also embroidered into her costume, celebrating New Hampshire's state insect.

Miss New Jersey used her costume to celebrate the spirit of the Jersey Shore.

Katarina Lengyel brought together the best elements of the Jersey Shore with her costume.

Her sparkly bodysuit looked like a sandy beach covered with seashells, with pearls adorning her shoulders and cascading down in ribbons, coordinating with her crystal-adorned headpiece. Her blue, shiny skirt was open in the front and trailed behind her in a train, much like an ocean wave.

Miss New York celebrated taxis, one of her state's most iconic symbols.

New York City is synonymous with taxi cabs to most people, so Jenna Dykstra decided to turn herself into a cab for the costume contest.

Her black romper had a sparkly yellow-and-black corset that cinched her waist. The straps of the dress had a black-and-white checked pattern, as did her choker necklace and the trim on her black boots. A yellow hat that said "Taxi" on it and a matching purse completed the fun outfit.

Miss Oklahoma honored the Five Moons ballerinas.

Annamaria Thomas took the stage in a red leotard and tutu. Its bodice had a keyhole cutout and all-over sparkles, while its skirt was made from feathers. She completed the look with a crystal headpiece and pointe shoes.

The costume celebrated the Five Moons ballerinas — Indigenous dancers in the mid-20th century — and Osage dancer Maria Tallchief, the first prima ballerina in the US. Thomas' earrings were made by an Indigenous beader, and the costume's vibrant colors represented the Osage Nation.

Miss Pennsylvania was decked out in feathers.

Elizabeth Voight wore a crystal-covered bikini with bedazzled straps that crossed her waist and neck. Not only did the outfit show some skin, but it was also adorned with crystal fringe and massive wings made from red, white, and blue feathers.

Simón Villalba designed the costume to represent America's 250th birthday, the United States Constitution, and the Declaration of Independence. It was worn with a massive crystal crown and matching boots.

Miss South Carolina looked like she'd stepped out of the sea.

You couldn't miss Victoria Vesce as she stepped onstage wearing a pearl-and-sparkle-encrusted ensemble. It included a one-piece top with waist cutouts, a high-low skirt with glittering fringe, and iridescent blue ruffles that cascaded behind her. She also carried a staff with an oyster on top.

Designed by Patrick Isorena, the outfit also included a sparkling, shell-shaped backpiece, pearl fringe, and a crown made from the gems.

Miss South Dakota took a risk and wore leather for the costume portion of the event.

Lexus Paulson was inspired by the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in her state and by bikers' style. She donned leather pants, a matching leotard with grommets and cutouts, and leather gloves embellished with fringe.

She also carried motorcycle handlebars across her back.

Miss Tennessee stood out with bright-orange feathers and silver sparkles.

Sydney Grace Young represented the University of Tennessee Volunteers with her state costume. It featured an orange-and-silver bikini adorned with the school's logo, beaded fringe, and orange-and-white back and headpieces, both made of feathers.

Young and her family spent more than 90 hours hand-bedazzling the outfit.

Miss Texas blossomed with blue florals onstage.

Alexis Maxine Fuetsch celebrated her state's official flower, the bluebonnet, with her costume. She wore a floral backpiece, a crystal crown with more flowers, and a bejeweled bodysuit that matched her thigh-high boots.

The costume was meant to honor the women of Texas and their pride in their state.

Miss Vermont was the epitome of autumn with a tree-inspired look.

Katherine McQuade wore a brown, beaded bikini decorated with pink florals and green leaves. The set matched her brown gloves, fringe heels, and branch-inspired backpiece, which made her resemble a tree.

Simón Villalba designed her outfit to mirror the landscapes of Vermont in the fall.

Miss West Virginia looked to the flowers of the Appalachian Mountains for her costume.

Alanna Lynch wanted to highlight the Appalachian Mountains with her costume, as West Virginia is the only state that resides completely within them.

Her green bodysuit looked like grass, while her sheer cape embodied a mountain covered in florals and greenery. Those flowers exploded out of the top of the backpiece, which formed the shape of a mountain.

Miss Wyoming embraced the bison's fierce and majestic nature.

Melanie San Roman wore horns on her feathered headpiece, a fuzzy wrap around the waist of her blue-and-brown corset, and matching feathers that featured a bison portrait across the back. She also carried a fuzzy shield adorned with a gold bison head.

The feathers were meant to represent freedom, while the outfit's blue accents mirrored Wyoming's open sky.

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