PASAY CITY — The 86 candidates of the 65th Miss Universe pageant made an effort to match their national costumes with gimmicks, surprising and delighting the people who flocked to the Mall of Asia Arena Thursday evening to watch the event live.

Even though the candidates' performance during this segment of the competition was not scored, it certainly showed who among the women dug deep and gave serious thought into what they were going to wear and who among them could maintain their poise while walking in bulky outfits and heavy headpieces.

Feathers and wings that were reminiscent of the back pieces worn during a Victoria's Secret fashion show, as well as bedazzled two-piece bikinis, were a common sight.

But here are some of the outfits that stood out during the show.

BOLIVIA

Miss Universe Bolivia donned the largest headpiece, which represented 18 different dances from her home country. Photo by Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News courtesy of Solar, LCS, MUO

CANADA

Miss Universe Canada's large snowflake back piece that was shaped like a maple leaf gave her matching knitted top and trousers a different kind of appeal. Photo by Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News courtesy of Solar, LCS, MUO

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Three-dimensional birds embellished Miss Universe Dominican Republic's national costume. Photo by Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News courtesy of Solar, LCS, MUO

ECUADOR

Miss Universe Ecuador flashed a smile and tried to project to the crowd despite a damaged left 'wing'. Photo by Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News courtesy of Solar, LCS, MUO

FRANCE

Miss Universe France trotted a la Moulin Rouge wearing a sparkly two-piece bikini matched with a furry red robe and head dress. Photo by Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News courtesy of Solar, LCS, MUO

GERMANY

The castle headpiece inspired by one of the iconic spots in Germany seemed funny at first, but Miss Universe Germany managed to pull off the look as she matched the ensemble with a lot of confidence and charm. Photo by Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News courtesy of Solar, LCS, MUO

HUNGARY

Miss Universe Hungary's red gown was special not only because of its intricate beading, but also because 1,500 red peppers that are used to make paprika were sewn into the dress. Photo by Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News courtesy of Solar, LCS, MUO

INDONESIA

Miss Universe Indonesia's golden Garuda pantsuit paired with a pair of huge wings was an easy eye-catcher as it glimmered across the pageant stage. Photo by Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News courtesy of Solar, LCS, MUO

KOREA

Miss Universe Korea opted to stick to a traditional garment worn by Korean queens during special occasions. Photo by Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News courtesy of Solar, LCS, MUO

MALAYSIA

There is no better Malaysian icon than the Petronas Twin Towers. This is why Miss Universe Malaysia opted to incorporate the tourist attraction that lights Kuala Lumpur's skyline into her outfit. Photo by Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News courtesy of Solar, LCS, MUO

MAURITIUS

Miss Universe Mauritius opted to wear a robe that looked like the edifice of a volcano. She later on discarded the robe to reveal a sizzling ensemble that was inspired by lava. Photo by Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News courtesy of Solar, LCS, MUO

MYANMAR

Miss Universe Myanmar earned the loudest applause and cheer for this round as she managed to mount a puppet show and act like a puppet using her national costume. Photo by Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News courtesy of Solar, LCS, MUO

NETHERLANDS

Miss Universe Netherlands went the extra mile by making sure that her windmill back piece was moving and blinking as she sashayed across the stage. Photo by Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News courtesy of Solar, LCS, MUO

NORWAY

Miss Universe Norway channeled popular Disney character Elsa complete with the braided hair and cape. Photo by Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News courtesy of Solar, LCS, MUO

PANAMA

Miss Universe Panama's purple and green costume was inspired by traditional and small town markets found in her home country. Photo by Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News courtesy of Solar, LCS, MUO

PERU

Miss Universe Peru's wings were a cut above the other feathery back pieces as hers were retractable and were able to flap. Photo by Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News courtesy of Solar, LCS, MUO

PHILIPPINES

Miss Universe Philippines' head piece is worth P1 million as real pearls were used to embellish the crown. Photo by Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News courtesy of Solar, LCS, MUO

SIERRA LEONE

The cut of Miss Universe Sierra Leone's national costume is similar to the wardrobe of dancers in her home country. Seashells that were collected from the beaches of Sierra Leone were sewn into the outfit. Photo by Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News courtesy of Solar, LCS, MUO

SPAIN

Miss Universe Spain's features were accentuated by the red and white garb that was paired with two feathery fans. Photo by Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News courtesy of Solar, LCS, MUO

SWEDEN

Miss Universe Sweden wore the dress she used for the long gown competition and simply added an orange wig and carried a horse cut-out over her shoulder for the national costume showcase. Photo by Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News courtesy of Solar, LCS, MUO

THAILAND

Miss Universe Thailand's golden costume was a reflection of the items and structures usually seen inside temples across her home country. Photo by Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News courtesy of Solar, LCS, MUO

USA

Miss Universe USA's superhero-inspired costume was not showcased to its fullest potential after her retractable wings malfunctioned on stage. Photo by Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News courtesy of Solar, LCS, MUO

VIETNAM

Miss Universe Vietnam's wood-like top, skirt, boots, and three-dimensional back piece earned the audience's approval. Photo by Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News courtesy of Solar, LCS, MUO