"I'm very tall and very curvy," says Megan Gale of her famous figure. Her sultry looks, and sexy shape are pure glamour, but far from being untouchable, this 1.8m vivacious beauty is friendly, easygoing and down-to-earth.

Gale arrives for her interview clad in black jeans, a black jersey T-shirt and a white flowing vest. She looks simple and classy -- and cheerfully begins to divulge the secrets of dressing her curvy frame. "I try to show off what I think are my best features," she explains. One fail-safe trick she says is to show off your back: "It's a classic for women if you want to show off a bit of skin. Your legs, your arms, your boobs, your stomach -- they can change as you get older -- but a woman's back is always sexy."

"Buying the right size is also important," advises Gale. "There's such a stigma attached to a number on a label. I've got 8s, 10s and 12s in my wardrobe -- designers all cut on different [pattern] blocks. It's important to buy the size that fits, so don't be fixated on what size you think you should be buying."

It's excellent advice from a woman who has spent years in front of the camera -- but whose figure has never been the waif-life variation commonly associated with her industry, although she does admit that modelling has given her better insight into avoiding fashion disasters. "If I hadn't have been involved in the fashion industry then I wouldn't have known much!" she says, laughing.

"One thing I've learnt," she explains, "is to be careful about judging clothes on the rack. I've seen things hanging that I thought would look hideous, but stylists have urged me to try on. Some clothes have to be seen on a woman's body to be appreciated."

As an ambassador for David Jones, and with a burgeoning career as an actress, Gale is one of Australia's most recognised icons. Her rise has been well documented: she trudged the long hard road of modelling in an industry that at the time, didn't realise her potential. After seven years, she finally made her break -- but to her surprise in Italy, not Australia. Committed to the country who had embraced her wholeheartedly, Gale moved to Italy for seven years and reaped the benefits. Her decision to return home in 2006 filled her with mixed emotion. "It was hard to leave it all' she explains, "but it was definitely time."

Happily settled back home, in addition to acting she is embarking on a new role as an ambassador for the Red Cross. It's a charity she feels passionately about -- and she is committed to educating the public about the varied ways the organisation helps the community, both in times of disaster, and more stable periods.

GALE's TOP TIPS:

1. Buy the size that's fits -- regardless of the number on the label.

2. Try it on -- clothes don't always look good on the hanger.

3. Keep focus on your best features.

4. Sexy is fine, but never vulgar. Keep it tasteful.

5. Look for classic shapes.

6. Keep it simple.

For more style tips from Megan Gale, pick up the latest copy of InStyle on sale NOW!

Image: DAVID GUBERT