Jessica Simpson escapes to Mexico for sunshine break

Perhaps the recent furore over her apparent weight gain has made Jessica Simpson self-conscious, or maybe she's just protecting her skin.

But on a sunshine break in Mexico, the singer was considerably covered-up compared with her friends.

The 28-year-old wore a loose-fitting green smock while her companions soaked up the rays in bikinis.

Jessica Simpson covers up in a hat and kimono-like wrap as she enjoys a sunshine break in Mexico with her mother, Tina, and some female friends

And later, by the pool, she draped herself in a wrap and towel as the sun blazed down.

In January, Jessica sparked a media storm when she revealed an apparently curvier figure in a pair of high-waisted jeans. She was thought to have gained ten pounds.

But she has since been photographed looking toned and trim in tiny denim shorts, similar to the ones she wore when she set pulses racing in 2005 movie The Dukes Of Hazzard.

Relaxing: The 28-year-old, second from right, soaks up some sun

Criticism of Jessica's apparent weight gain led her sister Ashlee, ex-husband Nick Lachey and socialite friend Kim Kardashian all to defend her figure.

Ashlee said: '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 [UK size 6] figure?'

The singer and sometime actress worked on topping up her golden tan

Self-conscious or sun savvy? Jessica draped herself in a towel and wrap while her friends topped up their tans

But Jessica turned the attention into a career opportunity, revealing plans to launch her own fashion line for curvy women.

'I want to create clothes that flatter every figure.

'I know how a dress can make you feel so frumpy. I promise mine won't.

'I know what flatters a woman, and trust me, I've been judged a lot in my life.

'By now I know what works if you're curvy.

'If my clothing and accessories make you feel great and let you walk proud and tall - in big, big platform shoes - then I'm happy.'

Getting some rays at last: Jessica finally allowed herself to work on her tan