Nikki Haley challenged Donald Trump in the 2024 Republican presidential race. She withdrew from the race but made history as the first woman to win the GOP’s presidential primary elections.

Haley’s political achievements are not the only aspect drawing attention to her. Although Haley’s fashion choices are typically understated and do not take center stage, they have occasionally garnered attention, sometimes for the wrong reasons. 

Criticizing an opponent’s clothing is not a politically approved tactic for winning a presidential election. 

Haley’s fashion decisions, such as her slogan sweater fiasco, have been sometimes questionable.

During her Iowa campaign tour, Nikki Haley wore an eyebrow-raising $230 olive green sweater. The knit featured the text ‘She Who Dares Wins’ and debuted on the Cedar Falls stage in January 2024. While the slogan is not inappropriate on its own, the designer of the sweater, Alice Temperley, sparked online outrage when she seemingly tried to justify Hamas’ attacks on Israeli civilians in an Instagram post from October 2023. Temperley’s original caption, which was later edited for neutrality, read, ‘If you blow up kids and their families and trap them in a massive prison with constant kidnapping and bombardment, then of course, they are going to seek revenge and be very angry.’ 

The politician wore a dress resembling a bridal gown for her daughter’s wedding.

While there are dedicated clothing sections for the bride’s mother, such dresses are not typically designed to look like wedding gowns. Despite this, Nikki Haley chose to wear such a dress to her daughter’s wedding in 2023. In several photos shared on her Instagram, Haley can be seen wearing a floor-length gown in an off-white shade.

Criticism quickly flooded social media as many users questioned Haley’s decision. 

Haley shared on her Instagram that the dress in question was from Teri Jon. 

During an appearance in Bloomington, Minnesota, in February 2024, Haley wore what appeared to be a workout outfit. Her black flare pants could easily be mistaken for leggings from a distance, while her color block jacket had a distinctly athletic look. This attire was more suited for physical activity than a public speech supporting a presidential bid. To make matters worse, she paired the outfit with black-heeled boots, completely losing us on her fashion vision.

In 2010, when Nikki Haley secured the Republican nomination for governor of South Carolina, she made a bold statement with her attire. She wore a bright pink skirt suit in a shiny material, likely satin or silk, but her attempt to channel Barbie was unsuccessful. However, she took embracing a stereotypically feminine color and style too far. Her fashion veered into 1980s Barbie territory.

Her fringe cardigan and belt combo made us cringe.

Nikki Haley’s boho fringe cardigan couldn’t fly under the radar despite already securing a spot on our list of her most inappropriate outfits with a sweater look. In March 2023, the former South Carolina governor addressed potential supporters in Nevada and Iowa. He wore a casual outfit of jeans, a white top, and a multi-colored cardigan with fringe on the bottom. The knit piece was sold by Lord & Taylor for nearly $200 but is currently available for under $30. Although the sweater is not necessarily bad, Haley missed the mark regarding the occasion. She failed to elevate her appearance from an everyday look more suited for running errands.