The Most Stunning Evening Gowns From Miss Universe 2023

In New Orleans on Saturday night, 84 women showed up to represent their country and fight for the coveted crown of Miss Universe. Only one came out on top—Miss USA R'Bonney Gabriel, making Americans prouder than ever to see a beautiful and intelligent woman speak on their behalf. R'Bonney made it to the final round along with Miss Dominican Republic and Miss Venezuela. She wowed the judges with her passion to help women empower themselves by teaching them how to sew through a non-profit organization. She also runs her own fashion brand called R'Bonney Nola, which creates eco-friendly clothing.

There were three events in the Miss Universe pageant: swimsuit, evening gown, and personality interview. Of course all the women on stage were beautiful, but there were some particular standouts in the evening gown event that left a memorable mark. Some wore bright colors and plunging necklines, while others chose a more muted shade with intricate beading. Here are some of the most beautiful evening gowns of the night, worn by some of the most graceful women on the planet.

Miss Venezuela

Amanda Dudamel got all the way to the final round of the pageant and was award First Runner-Up for Miss Universe 2023. Her dress during the evening gown portion of the night was one to remember. It combined the beautiful jewel-like colors of light blue, gold, turquoise, and white, with a hint of deep blue at the top of the neckline. The off-the-shoulder neckline showed her décolletage without being too revealing, and the trains coming from her shoulders added an elegant, unexpected element. This dress is certainly one to remember.

Miss Colombia

María Fernanda Aristizabal, known as Miss Colombia, pulled off an intricate neckline and luxurious beading. Her dress was a mixture of pink hues which looked stunning on her skin tone. She wore her hair in a simple high bun with matching beaded earrings.

Miss Canada

Who knew a cape could be so luxurious and fabulous? Miss Canada, Amelia Tu, stunned in a strapless, white dress covered in silver sequins, with a thigh-high slit and subtle cutouts on the back. The look was pulled together with a long, sheer cape that was textured with sequins and light feathering. Her hair was pulled back in a simple bun so the dress could shine on its own.

Miss Australia

Many said that the beautiful Monique Riley had one of the best walks onto the stage during each event; it's no wonder her evening gown seemed so magical. The dress was a simple silhouette—strapless, hourglass shape with a thigh-high slit on her left leg—but the details were anything but simple. Miss Australia wore an Alin Le’ Kal custom gown with intricate silver sequins and a flowing, showstopping train. She paired it with a delicate tiara and long earrings.

Miss Belgium

You can't go wrong with a princess-like chiffon skirt, and that's exactly what Miss Belgium decided to do with her evening gown selection. The royal blue color went beautifully with her complexion and the subtle cutouts on the side lengthened her figure even more. The midsection of the dress had blue and silver sequins, and the neckline was plunging but still fairly modest. Her luscious curls cascaded down her shoulders and the slit on the left side of her skirt allowed her leg to peek through for an added touch.

Miss Ecuador

The bright yellow shade of Miss Ecuador's dress made her stand out on stage and it was the perfect color for her deep skin tone. The backless design looked particularly pretty alongside the train that cascaded from her left shoulder. Nayelhi Gonzalez wore long, sparkly earrings with her hair pulled back in a high bun.

Miss Belize

Ashley Lightburn's dress was unique in both color and style. The eye-catching off-the-shoulder neckline featured dangling tassels above the waistline, which had cutouts and intricate beading details. The rich, gold yellow tone complemented her skin and slicked-back hairstyle. Miss Belize's elegant and modern style made her a memorable contestant of the evening.

Miss Russia

There was some backlash over the fact that Miss Russia, Anna Linnikova, was allowed to compete in Miss Universe, but her dress was beautiful nonetheless. The gown was a royal red with a thigh-high slit and asymmetrical neckline that turned into a sheer train behind her. Her waistline was cinched in to show off the beautiful sequin design. She wore her hair parted to the side in glamorous curls.

Miss Laos

It's not easy to pull off a nude-colored dress without looking washed out, but Miss Laos Payengxa Lor made it look effortless. Her dress was a mixture of cutouts, gold and silver beading and sequins, and a mermaid skirt that made her legs look effortlessly long. The beading details in the center of her chest added a nice touch that made her stand out on stage. Her side-parted, loosely curled hair paired with the gown beautifully. A vision!

Miss USA

R'Bonney Gabriel made her country proud on Saturday night, and her evening gown was certainly a standout from all the rest. She wore a halter neckline with extravagant sequins and multiple cutouts, along large, ruffled sleeves that sat on her forearms. The pink, purple, and black color scheme worked well with her makeup and complexion, and she wore her hair in a slicked back bun to keep the focus on the dress.