Yeah , that ’s pretty much our culture in a nutshell .

I am overjoyed today to inform you that there is an annual(ish) “Mr. World” competition, in which handsome men from around the world compete in a pageant. Part of that pageant is a costume show, where the contestants dress in a costume that represents their country’s culture and identity. For example, here’s Bolivia’s contestant from the 2024 pageant, in his costume inspired by Bolivian folk dance:

And here’s Peru’s national costume, inspired by Inca nobility:

And here’s Venezuela’s costume, inspired by the country’s war for independence from Spain:

Even though these costumes were from the 2024 competition (which took place six months ago), the video has been making the rounds, because…well, here’s the United States' costume:

Yeah, that’s just a Captain America costume.

The contestant did a little flip and a superhero landing, though!

Now, I don’t want to act like there weren’t other countries that maybe phoned it in a little. Here’s Canada, in head-to-toe denim, aka a “Canadian tuxedo”:

People also felt that France’s costume was perhaps a little too on the nose:

Americans on Reddit had a lot of thoughts about the USA’s costume choice:

Now, let’s not forget that it’s a Captain America costume that they BEDAZZLED, so it’s bespoke:

There were a lot of suggestions on what the USA could have done instead:

But hey, at least the Canadians seem happy:

Anyway, I’m really hoping there’s a 2025 competition this year. Bye!

Article image

A person in elaborate traditional attire with a headdress and vibrant patterns poses dramatically in a historic setting

Person in historic-style military outfit with a bicorne hat, holding a large flag, walking through a set resembling a grand, intricately carved building

Person in Captain America costume with star emblem and shield, walking down a runway with dramatic lighting and architectural backdrop

Person in superhero costume with shield kneels dramatically in front of ornate building backdrop

Person crouching on stage with a Captain America shield, appearing to perform or pose in front of a grand building backdrop

A person waves onstage wearing a red hat and denim outfit, holding a small Canadian flag, in front of an ornate building backdrop

Person wearing a beret and striped shirt holds bread and a newspaper, evoking a classic French style, on a stage with a background depicting an ornate archway

Online comment critiques Captain America as an idealized, self-congratulatory cultural symbol

Social media exchange with comments about the appearance of USA's outfit compared to a budget costume, followed by a humorous reply

Comment exchange discussing an imaginative idea about mirrors and includes a humorous suggestion related to James Dean's style

Reddit comment thread jesting about a person wearing two jean jackets over a jean shirt, with a humorous reply about layering for cold weather

Person in Captain America costume salutes on stage with "United States of America" text above ornate backdrop