NO wonder the push-up bra has been hailed as the greatest fashion invention in the world ever.

It's the secret weapon in many women's lingerie drawer that can make mountains out of even the smallest of mole-hills.

The cleavage-enhancing underwear beat boot cut jeans to clinch the title.

Pull-in pants, which hide a wobbly stomach, came third followed by stilettos, as worn by a string of celebrities including Victoria Beckham.

Other everyday essentials to make the list included the little black dress, stockings, kitten heels, strapless bras and mini skirts.

Caroline Adams for Debenhams, which polled 3,000 female customers on their fashion favourites, said: "Push-up bras have become a wardrobe weapon for millions of women across the world.

"The underwear item not only makes women feel incredibly sexy but it creates the ultimate cleavage.

"I'm not surprised to see it in the top spot - push-up bras have revolutionised women's lingerie and remain a best-seller in-store.

"It's good to see boot cut jeans and stilettos in the top five fashion inventions - both items are classic wardrobe items and will never go out of fashion.

"It's interesting that more innovative products like chicken fillets and support tights feature in the line-up too."

Despite being first introduced at the start of the 20th century, it wasn't until the 1990s that push-up bras really became popular with the help of Eva Herzigova's "Hello Boys" Wonderbra ad.

The bra scooped almost 20 per cent of the vote in the poll.

Boot cut jeans, which fit perfectly over shoes and flatter any shape of figure, became trendy in the 1990s.

The sexy spike of stiletto shoes were voted in at number four while the classic little black dress came fifth.

The outfit every girl should have in her wardrobe was made famous by Audrey Hepburn, who donned a little black dress in the 1961 film Breakfast at Tiffany's.

Hipster jeans came sixth, followed by the leg-baring mini skirt, strapless bra and support tights.

Other fashion items to feature in the top 20 include stockings at 11 and the g-string at number 12.

Bra boosters chicken fillets also made it into the top 20, roasting in at number 15.

Caroline Adams for Debenhams added: "Fashion items that can help create the perfect silhouette have become must-have items for women.

"There is no shame in faking the body beautiful."

Top Twenty: 1. Push-up bra 2. Boot cut jeans 3. Pull-in pants 4. Stilettos 5. Little black dress 6. Hipster jeans 7. Mini skirt 8. Strapless bra 9. Support tights 10. Kitten heels 11. Stockings 12. Sports bra 13. G-String 14. Flip flops 15. Chicken Fillets 16. Pencil skirt 17. Hot pants 18. Boy-shorts 19. Trainer socks 20. Comfortable trainers