Theresa May is a politician hailed for her fierce intellect and flawless fashion sense.

But the Home Secretary suffered a rare wardrobe malfunction when she wore an aztec-inspired dress and blazer for a Cabinet meeting in Downing Street this morning.

The placement of the flesh-toned designs on the optical illusion frock made it appear as though the 59-year-old politician was revealing more than she had intended.

Fashion faux-pas: The Home Secretary suffered a rare wardrobe malfunction when she wore an aztec-inspired dress and blazer for a Cabinet meeting in Downing Street this morning, pictured

Keen-eyed social media users took to Twitter to discuss the fashion faux-pas, with one even asking: 'Is Theresa May's dress is a bit racey, is that cleavage?'

Another posted: 'Theresa May didn't learn the first time and wore that optical illusion dress again.'

Mrs May, who is the clear front runner in the Conservative leadership race, was photographed leaving the meeting at No 10 this morning ahead of the first ballot in the contest.

The politician paired the dress with a chunky white necklace, powder blue bag and leopard-print shoes.

The fashion-forward frock is a clear favourite of Mrs May, who has been seen wearing it to a number of public engagements.

In 2014, the Home Secretary caused a stir when she wore the dress during a televised appearance before the House of Commons.

Favourite frock: Mrs May wore the dress to a meeting in 2014, left, and a 7/7 memorial service last year, right

Causing a stir: Viewers were left confused after Mrs May wore the dress in the House of Commons in 2014

Once again the circular patterns around Mrs May's torso - combined with the lighting in the chamber - prompted a number of sniggering responses online.

The Tory politician also opted for the dress when she appeared at a service to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the London 7/7 bombings last year.

It is the second time this year that Mrs May's dress sense has garnered unwanted attention.

Online reaction: Keen-eyed social media users took to Twitter to discuss the fashion mishap

Theresa May managed to upstage George Osborne’s Budget 2016 speech – not through any political statement but with her daring choice of clothing.

As the Chancellor ploughed through the statistics, many could not help but find the 59-year-old Home Secretary, sitting to his left on the front bench in the House of Commons, something of a distraction.

Her low-cut dress revealed a little more than just her tan lines – and her spiral necklace only accentuated the matter.

Upstaging the Chancellor: Theresa May with George Osborne and David Cameron at the 2016 Budget