Instant beach body cheats... no diet required!

Get swimsuit savvy

Spend some time picking swimwear that complements your best features and minimises the ones you hate. For example, women with big chests should pick underwired bikinis with thicker straps, while those with smaller chests can create the illusion of curves with frills and ruffles. Similarly, larger thighs can be hidden with a shirt or shorts bottom, and love handles by wearing Fifties-style highwaisted bottoms.

Strike a pose

Stand or sit tall and stop hunching as soon as the camera phone comes out. For an instantly flatter tummy on your sunlounger, lean back on your elbows and pull your stomach muscles in.

The perfect cover-up

Kaftans and sarongs are the perfect on-trend way to boost beach body confidence. Pick from this season’s bold, bright tropical prints.

Be a bronze goddess

A good fake tan applied the night before you go away will make your body look slimmer and more toned, and will help camouflage cellulite.

Stand to heel

Anything with a chunky heel, but especially wedged espadrilles and sandals, will instantly slim and elongate legs on trips to the beach bar or shops.