Are we really still obsessing over what conservative women are wearing? Give me a break.

Last month, Republican presidential contender Nikki Haley posted a lovely family photo taken at her daughter’s wedding.

Following well wishes and congratulations, that should have been the end of that. But it wasn’t.

What transpired next is emblematic of the discourse (or lack thereof) on social media, as well as our political divides. Twitter users started piling on criticism of the color of Haley’s dress, which some complained was too close to white.

To make matters worse, a reporter from Newsweek decided to write a “news” story on the sartorial attacks, discussing “wedding no-noes on her (Haley’s) daughter's big day.”

The article states: “The picture ignited the age-old wedding debate about guests wearing white – should anyone other (than) the bridesmaids wear colors similar to that of the bride? The light appearance of Haley's dress prompted criticism from some Twitter users.”

‘Harassing conservatives about outfit choices’

Haley is a former governor and U.S. ambassador to the United Nations actively vying to become president of the United States – and her dress is what’s considered important?

No surprise, Haley wasn’t impressed with the coverage and fired back at the reporter on Twitter: “This is why people don’t trust the media. Liberal 'journalists' spend their time harassing conservatives about outfit choices. Grow up, @Newsweek. P.S. The dress was gold.”

Haley is absolutely right. While all women in the public eye are often targets of ad hominem attacks in regard to their appearance – instead of their policies or politics – conservative women feel the most heat.

It’s demeaning and only deepens the country’s incivility problem.

This became a noticeable trend during the years former President Donald Trump was in the White House. Many of the high-profile players in Trump’s administration were women – and those women were not treated well by Trump haters. They were often mocked for their appearance or outright shunned in public.

Silly flap over Nancy Mace’s tux

Sometimes the criticism comes from other conservatives. South Carolina Republican Rep. Nancy Mace attended the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner on Saturday, and she wore a sexy tuxedo.

Yet, she was called out by a self-described “counter-cultural Christian conservative” on Twitter for her choice. This woman’s beef with Mace seems rooted in the lawmaker’s comments on abortion, calling for a middle ground that won’t ostracize moderates and independents.

Republicans need to compromise to win: If GOP doesn't listen to Nancy Mace on abortion, the party can count on losing big in 2024

Rather than keeping the focus on the issue, however, this individual went from criticizing Mace’s abortion stance to posting a photo of Mace at the dinner, and saying, “As our culture continues to undermine women by celebrating men who pretend to be them — why would you choose to wear a tux to the WHCD?”

Who cares what she wore?

Mace didn't appreciate the critique either: “I love freedom and liberty, including being free to wear a tux.”

Opinion alerts: Get columns from your favorite columnists + expert analysis on top issues, delivered straight to your device through the USA TODAY app. Don't have the app? Download it for free from your app store.

She also posted a "who wore it better" photo of herself and former first lady Melania Trump, who had rocked a tuxedo at another event.

Mace later observed: "When they can’t win the policy or the debate, they go straight for your appearance. So it goes …"

Remember DeSantis’ white boots?

It’s not only conservative women who get this scrutiny. As we saw last fall, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was widely mocked when he showed up to tour hurricane damage in bright white boots.

DeSantis' 'go-go boots' were made for walking. All the left can do is trail behind him.

Those shrimp boots are symbolic of the industry in that part of the state, and DeSantis was showing solidarity with those whose livelihoods were at risk after the hurricane.

Yet, it was the boots that DeSantis haters – and many in the media – obsessed over.

When she was first lady, Melania Trump got similar pushback from the media when she showed up to tour flood damage while sporting high heels.

Taking jabs at someone’s appearance is lazy, and it subverts meaningful debate on issues that may actually matter more than a mother-of-the-bride’s dress.

Ingrid Jacques is a columnist at USA TODAY. Contact her at ijacques@usatoday.com or on Twitter: @Ingrid_Jacques 

You can read diverse opinions from our Board of Contributors and other writers on the Opinion front page, on Twitter @usatodayopinion and in our daily Opinion newsletter. To respond to a column, submit a comment to letters@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: White dress? Tux? Who cares. Stop policing Republican women's clothes