NIKKI Haley’s fashion choices have won plaudits as she looks to differentiate herself in the race to become the Republican presidential nominee.

The former US ambassador to the United Nations is just one of the candidates trying to cut Donald Trump’s commanding lead in the polls.

Haley – the only woman in the field – starred alongside Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, former New Jersey governor Chris Christie, and South Carolina Senator Tim Scott in the third Republican debate on Wednesday.

In the first GOP debate in August, Haley sported a light blue attire while her rivals donned dark suits and red ties.

She wore a crimson red outfit in the second contest in September and sported a white attire last night.

Cheri Bustos, an ex-congresswoman from Illinois, wore heels and skirts during her first primary campaign and told The New York Times: “Political campaigns are about differentiation.

“The best candidates look for every opportunity. Nikki Haley has taken advantage of the situation.”

Vanessa Friedman, the fashion director and chief fashion critic at The New York Times, said Haley’s knee-length skirts make the politician look “acceptably conservative and radical.”

She added: “Ms. Haley has pre-emptively weaponized her wardrobe for herself. She owns the heels in this race, just as she owns the skirt.”

Haley has been seen sporting skirts, dresses, and heels on the campaign trail, while Hillary Clinton and current Vice President Kamala Harris have traditionally sported dark trouser suits.

The former South Carolina governor famously said in 2012 that she doesn’t wear heels as a fashion statement.

She said: “It’s for ammunition.”

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Haley also referenced her footwear when she launched her presidential campaign in February.

In her campaign video, she said: “You should know this about me: I don’t put up with bullies and when you kick back, it hurts them more if you’re wearing heels.”

Haley’s performance in the debate, in part, was also praised.

She hit back at Ramaswamy when he mentioned her daughter in a debate over TikTok.

Haley blasted Ramaswamy, urging him to leave her daughter out of his voice.

She later told NBC News: “I’m a mom. The second you start saying something about my 25-year-old daughter I’m going to get my back up.”

The moment was not the first time Haley and Ramaswamy had clashed on the debate stage.

Polling expert Frank Luntz said Haley “flexed” her foreign policy knowledge and claimed she has the best Republican answer on abortion.

When she launched her bid for the White House, Haley told Americans it was “time for the next generation.”

She told the audience in Miami: “He [Trump] was the right president at the right time. I don’t think he’s the right president now.”

Haley is behind DeSantis and Trump in the race for the GOP nomination.

But, a poll conducted by the New York Times and Siena College revealed that Haley performs well against Biden in swing states in a hypothetical 2024 contest.

Haley boasts a seven-point lead against Biden in Arizona, while she was up 10 points in Michigan, per the poll.

She also leads in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Georgia and Nevada.