READY TO ROCK

Posted Feb 05 2009 @ 07:11 PM

Getting back to business, Jessica Simpson emerged from her hotel in Charlottesville, VA on January 29 on her way to prep for her concert later in the evening. Jess is on tour with Rascal Flatts now, but all of the hefty criticism about her recent weight gain has temporarily taken the spotlight off the headliners. Lucky for Jess it’s decidedly cooler in Virginia than Florida (where the dreadful high waist jean and leopard belt photos were taken), and she started the day off bundled up in a cozy jacket (like Rails’ Indya Hoodie in Black) with a bold red tunic (check out Qi’s vibrant Drop Shoulder Scoop Top in Red Kiss) and the essential black leggings (add a Western twist to your ‘fit with Desert Blue’s Bullhorn Jean in Black - I’m sure Jess would approve!). I love Jessica’s simple knit black hat and Louis Vuitton tote, but I’m not sure what to think of the funky platform boots – do you like the look? It’s a shame that so many people have so many bad things to say about the blonde songstress, but luckily Jessica has plenty of friends sticking up for her. Little sis Ashlee Simpson dedicated a blog titled “Since when did a woman’s weight become newsworthy,” venting her frustration about Jess’s unwarranted criticism: “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. 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 where we criticize a size 2 figure? Now can we focus on the things that really matter?” Well said, Ash! There has been way, way too much coverage of celebrity weight gain, from Oprah’s recently publicized struggle to the insults being slung at Jess now. What do you all think about the weight issue?

Jessica Simpson seen in Charlottesville, VA on Jan 29 2009.