Nicole Richie strips down to blue bikini

Nicole Richie strips down to blue bikini as she reveals her beach body in St Barts with Jessica Alba

Seven years ago Nicole Richie caused shock waves as she hit the beach in a bikini, revealing a scarily skinny figure.

But these days the Fashion Star judge is maintaining a far healthier physique.

Nicole, 31, revealed her fabulous beach body as she stripped down to a blue bikini n St Barts while holidaying with her pal and fellow yummy mummy Jessica Alba on Thursday.

Holiday fun: Nicole Richie was spotted in St Barts while vacationing with Jessica Alba this week

Hollywood pals: Nicole and Jessica stopped for refreshments

Me time: There was no sign of the star's husband and children

While her famous Hollywood friend took to the to sea for a swim, the former Simple Life star enjoyed the view from the comforts of the shore.

 

More...

• Jessica Alba slips back in her Into The Blue bikini (eight years and two children later) and looks better than ever in St Barts

Scary skinny: The star in 2006

Nicole is holidaying with Jessica and a group of friends in the French West Indies, however there was no sign of her husband Joel Madden and their two children Harlow, four, and Sparrow, three. 

She also enjoyed beach strolls during the day of fun in the sun, where she looked effortlessly stylish in cut-off denim shorts and a patterned midriff-baring top. 

Nicole recently admitted she takes style tips from children as they like to give her brutally honest feedback on her outfits. 

She explained last month: 'I was wearing these polka-dot harem pants the other day and my daughter said to me, 'Mom, why are you wearing your pajamas out?' 

'I was like, oh boy, already getting an opinion.

'My son always comes up to me and gives me a hug if he thinks I look pretty. 

'Their biggest compliment to me if I'm wearing anything with sequins on it, they tell me that I look like a princess.'

Nicole, who now keeps up a healthy gym regime after struggling with weight issues in the past, received another rather nice compliment after topping the Most Beautiful People list in Who, an Australian magazine. 

The star spends quite a lot of time Down Under thanks to her Good Charlotte husband's role as a judge on local version of The Voice.  

Stars in the sun: The stylish pals took in the sights of the idyllic island