When it comes to finding a woman physically attractive, men have frequently been classified as ‘butt’ guys, ‘breasts’ guys or ‘legs’ guys.

Now new research reveals that it is all locker room banter. True hotness in a woman has everything to do with proportion and very little to do with size.

In the study conducted by anthropologist Dr Barnaby Dixson, a group of volunteers were asked to rate photographs of women for physical attractiveness. These volunteers were not aware that the bust, waist and hips were digitally altered in these pictures they rated. To complement the research paper-and-pencil questionnaires, infra-red cameras also tracked respondents eyes as they looked at the photos.

Celebrities that meet the new standa rd? Hotties like Jessica Alba, Kate Moss, Victoria’s Secret model Alessandra Ambrosio and the iconic Marilyn Monroe. Interestingly, these women represent dramatically different body-types—from the curvy Monroe to the leaner Kate Moss; yet the of hip-to-waist makes them equally desirable to men.

Dr Dixson found that this proportion ranked more appealing, in other words, more physically attractive than overall weight or even breast size. This research finding is likely to bring cheer to women everywhere; after all, proportions can be worked on, but unless you’re willing to go under the knife, size is often something you have to live with.

What makes this ratio so special? Researchers and theorists believe that it sends a subliminal signal about fertility, a signal men have been hard-wired to sense down the ages. “It is likely that the perfect 0.7 ratio sends a biological signal to men that a woman is most fertile and most likely to produce a healthy offspring, no matter what size that woman is," argues Dr Dixson. ”It’s all about the distribution of fat which is directly linked to fertility.”

Ladies, it may be time to ditch the gym and pick up a calculator!