Presidential hopeful Nikki Haley has kicked off a fierce debate on social media after she posted a picture of her wearing an off-white dress to her daughter’s wedding.
The Republican candidate last weekend posted a picture congratulating her daughter Rena and her new son-in-law Josh on their big day.
On Twitter, Ms Haley: “Thankful for our sweet family and friends who joined us in supporting and celebrating them.
“Rena and Josh, we could not be more proud of both of you!”
But while many fans of Ms Haley congratulated the happy couple and had positive things to say about the family’s celebration, others weren't happy with her choice of dress.
Nikki Haley, the former South Carolina governor, was the first Republican to put herself forward to take on Donald Trump in the competition to lead the Republican Party into the 2024 elections
In the photograph, Ms Haley is wearing a floor-length and sleeveless patterned dress, but people have been debating if the dress is “inappropriate” to wear to a wedding.
People in the comment section have been debating if the dress Ms Haley wore is white, and too similar to the bride’s dress, or if it is a pale yellow "champagne" colour.
It is usually against wedding etiquette for women to wear white dresses to weddings in case it is mistaken for a bridal gown.
One comment said: "Why are you dressed like a bride to your daughter’s wedding?" while somebody else wrote: "Did the mother of the bride wear WHITE?"
But other commenters have jumped to Ms Haley’s defence, arguing that the dress she is wearing does not look like a bridal gown.
One comment said: "I don’t see a veil on her and she is wearing a champagne-coloured dress, not white. I’m guessing her daughter was with her when she picked it out, just like I was with my mum when she picked out her mother’s dress."
Publicly responding to one journalist's request for comment on her outfit choice, Ms Haley said: "This is why people don’t trust the media. Liberal “journalists” spend their time harassing conservatives about outfit choices. Grow up.
"P.S. The dress was gold."
People have argued it was "weird" and "clueless" to accuse the presidential nominee of trying to dress like a bride.
Other people have praised Ms Haley’s dress and called it "classy" and "stunning".
One user said: "Beautiful family and beautiful dresses. Congrats and best wishes to the happy couple!"
Somebody else said: "Best dress for the mother of the bride - classy and beautiful” while one person wrote: “Stunning all of you. Nikki your dress is a ten!"
Another person wrote: "Looking forward to you and your family living in the white house!"
