11:32 AM PT -- Kate Cassidy is singing boyfriend Liam Payne's praises in the aftermath of their viral outfit video ... and she's now saying she scripted the controversial comment.

The One Direction alum faced a barrage of backlash after noting the influencer was "covered up for once" during a recent date night ... but Kate has since defended the singer and taken full credit for the remark.

In a new TikTok uploaded on Wednesday, KC explained she told LP to make the comment, as she thought it was funny she was fully covered for their night out ... saying it was different from her usual style.

She added ... "I'm 25, I kind of just wear what I want. He doesn't care at all what I wear."

Liam Payne might wanna listen to his old boy band's song, "What Makes You Beautiful" ... as the singer is getting blasted by fans for a rude comment about his girlfriend, Kate Cassidy's outfit.

Here's the tea ... Kate, an influencer, posted a vid Monday happily showing off her all-black ensemble for a sushi date night with the One Direction alum. While she posed, Liam sized up his lady, and dropped a pretty backhanded compliment.

He stated, "You look good. Nice and covered up ... for once."

It didn't take long for fans to sound off on the ex boy-bander, blasting him as "misogynistic" and hypocritical ... as Liam famously has a song called "Strip That Down."

Not to mention, Liam has shared his fair share of shirtless selfies on social media over the years ... so, seems laughable for him to call her out for revealing outfits.

Kate doesn't seem bothered by the comment, at least publicly. She's since uploaded to TikTok a couple more times, but hasn't said a peep about LP's critique.

Liam and Kate have been on and off since first linking up in 2022.

Prior to his relationship with Kate, Liam notably dated Girls Aloud member Cheryl Cole, who gave birth to his son Bear back in 2017.

All of this is just another chapter in the story of his life.