If you're showing off your cleavage in a fabulous, low-cut party frock over the festive season, make sure it's up to the job by trying out some of these easy bust-boosting tips and exercises.
How can you improve your bustline? Photo: Getty
Press-ups
A sure-fire way to improve the look of your bust is to perform regular press-ups. Although breasts do not have muscles, you can help perk them up by working on the underlying pectorals. If you find regular press-ups too difficult - who doesn't? - cross your legs at the knee or ankle in order to do an easier version. Start with five and increase the number you do by two each day.
Posture
Take a quick look in the mirror. Are you unconsciously hunching your shoulders and sticking your head forward? If so, you're not showing off your décolletage to its full potential. Make an effort to pull your shoulders back, stand up tall and be proud of your chest!
Pectoral fly
Using two bottles of water or 2kg hand weights, lie on your back with bent knees and spread your arms so they are parallel to your shoulders. Keeping elbows softly bent, raise your arms slowly until they meet in front of you, then slowly lower back to the starting position. Start with 10 repetitions and build up to three sets of 10, resting for two minutes in between sets.
Swimming
We're not suggesting you brave your local outdoor lido, but a couple of weekly sessions at an indoor pool can help to give you the bust of your dreams. Mix at least 20 lengths of slow breaststroke with a few lengths of fast paced front crawl to give your chest muscles a workout they won't forget.
Reverse fly
Stand with a weight in each hand, with your feet hip distance apart and bend your knees. Slowly bend forwards until your back is parallel to the ground and keep your arms in front of you with bended elbows. Lift your arms out to the side, making sure elbows remain bent. You should feel the muscles around your shoulders working as you do this move. Return to the starting position and repeat 10 times. Work up to three sets of 10 exercises.
Sports bra
A top-notch, well-fitting sports bra should be the most essential piece of kit in your fitness wardrobe. Research has shown that 73% of women don't wear a sports bra when they exercise, although it can cause irreversible sagging. Be kind to your chest and have at least two sports bras, so you can put one of them in the wash and wear the other.
Yoga
A gentle yoga class can be surprisingly effective way of enhancing your décolletage. Poses such as the Cobra, Bow, Locust, Cat, Camel and Triangle can help to open up your chest and strengthen your back. This will boost the appearance of your bust and improve your posture. Take at least one class a week, in addition to regular cardiovascular exercise, to make a real difference to your bust.