# Is Miss Australia's national costume is a 'travesty' or not? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 30, 2010, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-miss-australias-national-costume-is-a-travesty-or-not/548558 "2010-07-30T06:30:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2010, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-miss-australias-national-costume-is-a-travesty-or-not/548558/41 "2010-07-30T17:18:37Z")
> [@Simplicio](#): > > I kinda like it Yeah, I don’t really mind it that much, either. It’s a lot better than most of the crap that passes for “fashion” on the runways. ---
**Author:** ![obfusciatrist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/4af34b/32.png) [@obfusciatrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obfusciatrist)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2010, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-miss-australias-national-costume-is-a-travesty-or-not/548558/42 "2010-07-30T17:21:16Z")
It certainly is silly looking. But not being familiar with the competitors I have no idea if it is unusually silly looking. ---
**Author:** ![Malthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2010, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-miss-australias-national-costume-is-a-travesty-or-not/548558/43 "2010-07-30T17:25:16Z")
Works wonders in confirming non-Australian stereotypes re: Australians. 😃 [Though she really should also be equipped with a big knife]. ---
**Author:** ![Todderbob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47774/32.png) [@Todderbob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Todderbob)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2010, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-miss-australias-national-costume-is-a-travesty-or-not/548558/44 "2010-07-30T17:29:38Z")
It looks goofy, but she’s hot enough to pull it off without me complaining. It would look better, if she were naked. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2010, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-miss-australias-national-costume-is-a-travesty-or-not/548558/45 "2010-07-30T17:37:36Z")
> [@Simplicio](#): > > I kinda like it I like it from the waist down. ---
**Author:** ![LavenderBlue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e95f7d/32.png) [@LavenderBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LavenderBlue)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2010, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-miss-australias-national-costume-is-a-travesty-or-not/548558/46 "2010-07-30T17:41:56Z")
She’s in Las Vegas competing in a beauty pagent. I think she’s very appropriately dressed. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![corkboard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@corkboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corkboard)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2010, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-miss-australias-national-costume-is-a-travesty-or-not/548558/47 "2010-07-30T17:53:53Z")
It’s hideous, except for the swimsuit, which is OK. Beautiful girl, though. By the way, what’s a “bogan”? ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2010, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-miss-australias-national-costume-is-a-travesty-or-not/548558/48 "2010-07-30T17:59:36Z")
> [@VarlosZ](#): > > Let’s not judge until we see the stats on that outfit. The boots, for instance, probably give a large bonus to dexterity, while the skirt is (obviously) charisma booster. And I assume that fur thing on her shoulders provides resistance to enchantment – looks expensive, 15 gold at least. > > Again, I don’t want to judge before the facts are in, but I’m willing to bet that, if you put a mid-upper level bow in her hands, and she’d be a welcome addition to most any party. That was my second thought after seeing the costume. Of course, my first thought was…dayum, she’s hot even wearing that silly costume. She’d be a serious contender at a costume contest at a Sci-fi/Comics/Gamers Convention, but that’s about the only place that outfit will be taken seriously. ---
**Author:** ![Shakester](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shakester/32/437_2.png) [@Shakester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shakester)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2010, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-miss-australias-national-costume-is-a-travesty-or-not/548558/49 "2010-07-30T18:00:21Z")
> [@corkboard](#): > > By the way, what’s a “bogan”? The closest American analog would be “white trash” but it’s not really a word that translates easily. The British “Chav” is closer to a direct translation. ---
**Author:** ![Malthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2010, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-miss-australias-national-costume-is-a-travesty-or-not/548558/50 "2010-07-30T18:05:25Z")
> [@corkboard](#): > > It’s hideous, except for the swimsuit, which is OK. Beautiful girl, though. > > By the way, what’s a “bogan”? > **[Bogan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bogan)** > > Bogan (/ˈboʊɡən/ BOHG-ən) is Australian and New Zealand slang to describe a person whose speech, clothing, behaviour, or attitudes are considered unrefined or unsophisticated. Depending on the context, the term can be used pejoratively or in a humorous, self-deprecating manner. The term "bogan" has also been associated with changing social attitudes towards class in Australia, and its use often reflects broader cultural stereotypes and divisions. > Since the 1980s, the bogan has become a very w... Seems somewhat similar to the Canadian “hoser”. ---
**Author:** ![Shakester](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shakester/32/437_2.png) [@Shakester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shakester)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2010, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-miss-australias-national-costume-is-a-travesty-or-not/548558/51 "2010-07-30T18:13:11Z")
Non-Aboriginal Australians don’t _have_ a “national dress” anyway. We’re a nation of immigrants, anything that’s “traditional” to some of us is foreign to the rest. I’m guessing the idea there is to reflect the multicultural nature of modern Australia, but the problem is that it doesn’t _look_ Australian, it just looks like some designer threw together a bunch of disparate stuff at random and hoped it would work. ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2010, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-miss-australias-national-costume-is-a-travesty-or-not/548558/52 "2010-07-30T18:32:23Z")
Thanks for this link! I just posted it on our school forums for our fashion students to comment upon - I will get back to you to let you know what they think! (Sort of interested in hearing what they have to say…my guess is that probably half will like it!) I personally kind of like it - for a stage show/runway type of presentation. As far as wearing it to the local Walmart to pick up some Velveeta and Ding Dongs, probably not. ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2010, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-miss-australias-national-costume-is-a-travesty-or-not/548558/53 "2010-07-30T18:55:54Z")
Well, after seeing that dress, there is no way I would ever visit Australia, and now I am sure if I met an actual Australian I would run away in fear and possibly use Australians to scare the children into doing their chores. ---
**Author:** ![misling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3ab097/32.png) [@misling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/misling)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2010, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-miss-australias-national-costume-is-a-travesty-or-not/548558/54 "2010-07-30T19:02:52Z")
I like the swimsuit and kinda like the shrug, and the skirt sort of works in runway/fashion show/really want to be over the top kind of way. Lose the boots. In the US, they are commonly worn outside the house, that’s not my problem with them. They’re just no good with that outfit. ---
**Author:** ![TheFaerie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c57346/32.png) [@TheFaerie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheFaerie)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2010, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-miss-australias-national-costume-is-a-travesty-or-not/548558/55 "2010-07-30T19:27:31Z")
> [@FriarTed](#): > > > [@VarlosZ](#): > > > > Let’s not judge until we see the stats on that outfit. The boots, for instance, probably give a large bonus to dexterity, while the skirt is (obviously) charisma booster. And I assume that fur thing on her shoulders provides resistance to enchantment – looks expensive, 15 gold at least. > > > > Again, I don’t want to judge before the facts are in, but I’m willing to bet that, if you put a mid-upper level bow in her hands, and she’d be a welcome addition to most any party. > > Bow or not, she’d be a welcome addition to the party in my pants… > Was that my out-loud voice? Not technically. 😃 When I opened the pix, I said “ew!” out loud. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2010, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-miss-australias-national-costume-is-a-travesty-or-not/548558/56 "2010-07-30T20:20:32Z")
She should have got Dame Edna’s son Kenny to design a dress like this one: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/UVA72Pw6t68/hqdefault.jpg "Dame Edna in 1st US appearance on Joan Rivers talk show") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVA72Pw6t68) ---
**Author:** ![mlees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@mlees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mlees)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2010, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-miss-australias-national-costume-is-a-travesty-or-not/548558/57 "2010-07-30T20:30:45Z")
I don’t like the shoulders-wrap thingy. Once I was able to pry my eyes away from her neckline. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2010, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-miss-australias-national-costume-is-a-travesty-or-not/548558/58 "2010-07-30T20:44:48Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > \ > If that’s the case, I really, really, really hope Miss Canada wears a Team Canada hockey uniform, with pads, helmet, skates, the works. It should say WICKENHEISER on the back and have bloodstains of Team Canada’s opponents. [This is what I found for Miss Universe Canada 2010](http://www.lionsdenu.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/cnd.jpg) - you were close, but no cigar. I like your idea better. In the context that all the girls wear outfits that represent their home country, I think Miss Australia looks fine. ---
**Author:** ![Mtgman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5a626/32.png) [@Mtgman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mtgman)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2010, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-miss-australias-national-costume-is-a-travesty-or-not/548558/59 "2010-07-30T21:31:37Z")
> [@DMark](#): > > I personally kind of like it - for a stage show/runway type of presentation. As far as wearing it to the local Walmart to pick up some Velveeta and Ding Dongs, probably not. I bet you could get a lot of cheesy ding dongs wearing that outfit. **jjimm** and myself for a start. Enjoy, Steven ---
**Author:** ![sugar\_and\_spice](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e8c25b/32.png) [@sugar\_and\_spice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sugar_and_spice)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2010, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-miss-australias-national-costume-is-a-travesty-or-not/548558/60 "2010-07-30T21:56:04Z")
Well here are the 2009 costumes: [http://www.seattlepi.com/ae/missuniverse/gallery.asp?SubID=5009](http://www.seattlepi.com/ae/missuniverse/gallery.asp?SubID=5009) Seem to be mostly elaborate stage costumes. In context the one on the OP doesn’t really stand out. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-miss-australias-national-costume-is-a-travesty-or-not/548558.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-miss-australias-national-costume-is-a-travesty-or-not/548558.md?page=4)