Miss Universe Australia Monika Radulovic has to wear this Dame Edna-inspired costume

WE’RE calling it. Australia’s ‘national costume’ for the Miss Universe contest is the most ridiculous outfit we’ve seen this year.

I’M calling it. This is the most ridiculous thing I’ve seen anyone wear ... this year at least.

Every year our Miss Universe contestants manage to unite us in sympathy, when they have to wear our ‘national costume.’

These poor girls are forced to parade around in ridiculous outfits for the ‘national dress’ segment of the Miss Universe competition.

While Miss India gets to strut around in a pimped-out sari and Miss China looks amazing in intricate embroidery, Miss Australia has had to slum it in ugg boots, khaki or several terrible shades of burnt orange.

Miss Australia 2010 Jesinta Campbell poses in her national costume. Picture: Matt Petit.

Miss Australia 2014 Tegan Martin ... is that a beaded loincloth? I’m so confused. Picture: Larry Marano/Getty Images.

Miss Universe 2006 Erin McNaught in her national costume. Those shoes are hideous. Picture: Darren Decker/AFP.

And 2015 is no different.

This year’s Miss Universe Australia Monika Radulovic will wear a Dame Edna Everage-inspired costume at the Miss Universe final.

Sydney designer Timothy Cubbo won a national competition for emerging designers to create a Miss Universe costume symbolic of Australia.

Cubbo’s blue beaded creation marries a giant tiara in the shape of Dame Edna cat eye glasses, and also includes “wisteria hue” hair and Sydney Opera House shoulders.

It features a beaded bodice and tulle skirt with feathered train, inspired by the Great Barrier Reef.

The 31-year-old’s “tongue in cheek” creation apparently won over the public, with 30,000 votes. Those 30,000 people need to take a long hard look at themselves.

Timothy Cubbo's winning entry. Picture: Miss Universe Australia/AAP.

“I looked at our national icons in terms of people ... and I couldn’t think of anyone more fabulous than Dame Edna,” he told AAP.

“I researched her quite significantly and something that Dame Edna often does is she references our other national icons, like the Opera House.

“So the inspiration for the actual outfit was very similar to a dress that she wore. A little more glitzy, a little bit more showbiz, but that’s where the inspiration came from.”

It took a month to complete but Cubbo was supported by fans on social media, including the famous Moonee Ponds housewife herself, played by Barry Humphries.

“She seemed to come on board,” Cubbo says. “She retweeted a few times and Barry also retweeted a few times so it was really good support.”

Monika Radulovic. Wearing something more ... normal. Picture: Julie Kiriacoudis

Cubbo, who works for a company designing mainly intimate apparel, says he is unsure what doors will open for him next but concedes it’s been a fun ride.

“I’m really enjoying having a lot of good and positive feedback from a lot of people, so I’m just going to see where it goes,” he says.

“Doing this costume made me realise how much I love glitz and glamour and showbiz, so moving down a showbiz path or costumes would be fantastic.”

When asked about the costume on Sunrise yesterday, the ever professional Ms Radulovic was full of praise.

“I’m feeling great — I love it,” she said, while wearing the costume. “It’s all the more reason to pitch our beautiful country and brag.”

Maybe she’s just being polite. Maybe she really does love her outfit.

But I’m calling it: this outfit is hideous. For a country with so much fashion talent, surely we can do better than this.

— With Melissa Iaria, AAP