A young Saudi woman sparked a sensation online over the weekend by posting a video of herself in a miniskirt and crop top walking around in public, with some Saudis calling for her arrest and others rushing to her defence.

Officials in the deeply conservative Muslim country were looking into taking possible action against the woman, who violated the kingdom's rules of dress, state-linked news websites reported on Monday.

Women in Saudi Arabia must wear long, loose robes known as abayas in public. Most also cover their hair and face with a black veil, though exceptions are made for visiting dignitaries.