HIGH-five to another scientific formula from the US confirming that men prefer the seriously curvaceous lady. The tiny waist and defined hips is what really gets them going. Tracey Scott reports.

THE University of Texas has revealed a user-friendly formula for that perfect hourglass figure - without the need of surgery, starvation or sacrifice.

Your waist-to-hip ratio is a formula that, if measured correctly, offers results that are guaranteed to turn heads. Calculating your waist-to-hip ratio is simple. Divide your waist by your hip measurement - including your derriere - and jot it down. Anything below 0.8 is considered healthy and the smaller the ratio, the more alluring your figure.

Here are four quick tips to help you create that perfect showgirl silhouette: The Hula-Hoop If you are pint glass rather then hourglass, then get exercising. Hula hooping - yep, that big plastic ring from the 1950s - is the latest contraption shown to work wonders on your waist and tummy muscles. Beyonce and Charlize Theron swear by it which means, if the celebs say yes, then so do we. Swivelling and twirling is the ultimate exercise for a trimmer, slimmer midriff.

Bolton personal trainer Lucy Brown said: "Wiggling your hips and standing up is better than sitting on your backside doing nothing. Hula hooping certainly burns calories, and specifically works the hips and obliques - love handles. Try enacting what you used to get up to as a child, and weight loss is guaranteed - it's tiring being a kid!"

To start rotating now, contact Farnworth Ladies Health Club in Gladstone Road to find out when you can jump inside the hula and start toning.

The Girdle A tiny waist, it seems, is a secret sexual weapon for any sultress or siren. But if a tiny waist is not what you've got, then cheat. Like Dita Von Teese, girdle that hurdle and purchase a corset. They are waist-cinching, silhouette-showing and seriously sexy. What's more, they now have evolved into corsetlettes - all-in-ones - to cater for the larger lady. Although lighter and not as firm, the corselette offers first-class results. According to Diane Cain, manager of Small Talk Lingerie in Octagon Court: "A lot of people like the corselettes now. They give you a smoother figure all over and go down as far as the panty would but they've got the bra part on top."

No excuses ladies. Fasten up your gusset, pull out those four inch stillies and work that social circuit.

The Underlay Yep, big knickers. We are talking fully fastened, full-fronted shaper knickers. They hold, mould and uncomfortably fold the unwanted fat deposits that have set up home on our tums and bums. Similar to the corset yet half the price, big pants are seamless, provide a near perfect silhouette and offer firm control at that party in case you can't.

Whatever your ensemble, there is an undergarment for you. For fitted trousers there is the long panty; for the satin dress there are the seamless shapers; and for the lycra mini there is the satin waist nipper.

So, ladies, let us commemorate Bridget Jones, and beyond.

The Juicy If you have only three days until that all-important party and your tummy is slightly bloated, try a quick juice detox. Having three smoothies a day - including grapefruit for successful weight loss and apples for fibre - for two to three days will make your bowels do the Samba.

This could be your answer to that earth-shaking miniscule midriff. But Lucy warns: "The only way I would prescribe a bout of juice fasting is perhaps for a day, to flush out your system if your diet is appalling. Even then I would advocate some snacks in order to keep your body from going into starvation mode."

So ensure that you weigh up your dietary intake beforehand.