Slimmed-down Jessica Simpson slips back into her Daisy Duke hotpants... and the basque's a tight fit too

She's been pilloried for her weight gain but last night Jessica Simpson came out all guns blazing with her choice of outfit at a concert.

The curvy singer squeezed into a pair of Daisy Duke shorts - and a white basque - that showed all her curves are in the right places.

She looked toned and healthier than ever as she replicated the look she first sported in the 2005 movie The Dukes Of Hazzard.

Jessica performed to an eager crowd at the Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City.

She accessorised her casual look with a turquoise stone studded belt, a brown flannel shirt and a row of bracelets on her wrist.

Jessica’s apparent weight gain has been a talking point since she appeared on stage earlier in the year, dressed in a series of unflattering outfits.

She tackled the issue head on at the time, telling fans: ‘Please remember, no matter what you go through in life, somebody else might have it harder.

‘I feel like in our world today we focus on so many things that are completely pointless.’

The 28-year-old’s sister Ashlee Simpson-Wentz has leapt to her sister’s defence, claiming her elder sibling is a size two (UK size six).

On her MySpace page, Ashlee said: ‘I am completely disgusted by the headlines concerning my sister’s weight.
‘A week after the inauguration and with such a feeling of hope in the air for our country, I find it completely embarrassing and belittling to all women to read about a woman’s weight or figure as a headline on Fox News.

‘All women come in different shapes, sizes and forms and just because you’re a celebrity there shouldn’t be a different standard.

‘How can we expect teenage girls to love and respect themselves in an environment when we criticize a size two figure?’

Jessica admitted working hard on her figure for her role in The Dukes of Hazzard.

She endured two-hour workouts six days a week with personal trainer Michael Alexander, who honed her physique with a combination of running, squats, lunges and weight-resistance exercises.

She also followed a South Beach Diet-style low-carb, high-protein menu which featured grilled chicken, fish and green vegetables.

After filming the part, Jessica said: 'My body is definitely an accomplishment.'

In a 2007 interview with Harper's Bazaar magazine, she admitted she preferred being curvy to her skinnier frame.

She said: 'Curves are better. I don't get the whole rail thing. It's not good for your heart, it's not good for your mind; it's emotionally destructive, it really is.'