In 2011, more breast augmentation procedures were performed than any other cosmetic surgical procedure, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. But for those of us with neither the cash nor the desire to go under the knife, there are easier ways to make the girls look their best.

It’s a matter of knowing how to maximize our assets no matter what our shape, size or age. Women who have breast-fed, those who still have to lose that last 10 pounds, and aging women can all have those coveted assets with just a few tweaks here and there.

The Right Fit: Seamless Contour Bras

The secret to improving the look of your chest in clothes is to start with what lies beneath: your bra.

Seamless contour bras feature molded cups but no elastic or metal (no hooks or clasps). The result? No unsightly lines or bulges. Just smooth, shapely you.[relatedarticles}

“Your cups should be full but not runneth over,” Sara Blakely, the genius behind Spanx, told Glamour. “If you’re spilling over the sides, it may be time to get measured.”

Body-shaping apparel companies like Spanx offer great solutions for sucking it all in. Bras like the Bra-llelujah! Underwire Contour bra is among Spanx’s best-selling items. The molded cups give you a great shape. The rest is made of pantyhose material. The elastic-free, seamless design fits like a second skin.

Seamless contour bras are designed to be worn under form-fitting blouses and business wear, but are comfortable enough to be your everyday go-to bras.

The Right Shape: Body Shapewear

Improving the way your breasts look isn’t just about your boobs and the type of bra you’re sporting.

Drawing in the waist and tucking in the tummy emphasizes your hips and bustline, creating that contoured, hourglass shape that turns heads and oozes confidence. Body shapewear is designed to nip and tuck in all the right places.[relatedarticles}

The Compression Panty Shaper by Squeem, for example, creates a gorgeous silhouette. “Unparalleled pooch-busting power plus a lifted bust and strong support for your back equal an immediate makeover for your middle,” says Squeem.

Look for simple, comfortable designs in breathable fabrics that allow you to move freely.

The Right Silhouette: Upright Posture

The best shapewear in the world can’t overcome a lousy posture.

Standing up straight can do wonders for your chest, not to mention your entire body. In fact, proper carriage, standing or sitting tall and straight with our bones and muscles properly aligned, is like a mini-makeover.

Rebecca Gorrell, movement therapy director at Canyon Ranch Spas, told WebMD, “Good posture makes you look younger, thinner, and taller. Other people will see you as more energetic and relaxed.”

The flip-side of that isn’t such a pretty picture. “When we’re slumped over, our folds of excess flab are bunched together,” Lynn Millar, PhD, PT, a professor of physical therapy at Andrews University who also spoke to WebMD. According to Millar, 80 percent of us suffer from a slouched, hunched-over posture.

How do we get it right?

Keep your back straight and your shoulders back. Keep your head over your shoulders – don’t let it lean forward. Pull your abdomen inwards, too. Many of these tips can even apply when you’re sitting down. Instead of leaning forward, allow your back to rest against the back rest. Keep your feet on the floor, too.[relatedarticles}

Next time you’re in front of the mirror, stand up straight. Be mindful of what a good posture looks and feels like. Try to maintain that posture throughout the day, even when you’re sitting. Your chest will thank you.

Another aspect to good posture is a healthy weight. By maintaining the proper weight for your size you won’t suffer the dreaded saggy boob. Wear a sports bra when exercising and avoid smoking, which breaks down collagen, a major component for perky, upright breasts.

The Right Cleavage: 3D Cosmetics

Just as makeup can enhance your facial features by, say, giving you the impression of higher cheekbones, cosmetics can enhance your breasts by accentuating your cleavage.

Shimmery bronzers, celebrity makeup artist Joanna Schlip told Cosmopolitan, create a fresh, glowing look that can enhance your cleavage. Apply it lightly between and along the tops of your breasts.

Meredith Baraf, Victoria’s Secret makeup artist, recommended to Women’s Health applying spray bronzer in an “M” shape following the curvature of your breasts. “The tan will be slightly darker, adding contour that gives the illusion of fuller cleavage,” Baraf says.

The Right Look: Necklines and Color

How well you look up top has everything to do with what you’re wearing topside.

If you’d prefer to hide the fact that you’re well-endowed, or simply want to minimize it, go with dark colors on top and brighter colors that will draw the eye below.[relatedarticles}

Ariana Finlayson, associate editor at RealBeauty.com, says, “By sporting darker colors on your problem areas,’ you’ll bring attention to the asset that you feel best about.” A little decoration goes a long way, as well. A well-placed necklace that either hugs the curve of a low-cut shirt or even falls down between your breasts can really play up your decolletage.

The cut of apparel above the waist is important, too. Hosts of the popular UK version of What Not to Wear, Trinny Woodall and Susannah Constantine, suggest wrap-style blouses and dresses that flatter large breasts by lifting the bustline. According to LifeScript.com, Constantine told the BBC, “The best blouse style is one that is tight around the waist and loosening up towards the chest. This minimizes the waist and gives the illusion of a smaller bust.”

While dark colors on top can minimize large breasts, bright colors, eye-catching patterns, and ruffles can add much-needed oomph to those with barely-there busts. Basically, if you’re small-breasted, add bulk with feminine blouse treatments: pleats or bows. Avoid loose, low-cut blouses that can call attention to what you’re lacking upstairs.[relatedarticles}

So, skip the scalpel and try out the suggestions above. You’ll do something helpful for both your pocketbook and your body.