The Alpha Female, the top income group made up of successful UK women like London Stock Exchange CEO Clara Furse and actress Kate Beckinsale are on the up, compared with the identical Vogue survey commissioned two years ago.
Steven Quinn, publishing director of Vogue, said: "It is a reflection of the increase in affluence among middle and upper-middle class women. There's a lot of high spending going on. Women are becoming much more a part of the mainstream of top executive life."
The Vogue Style Census 2005 questioned 1,365 magazine readers aged 20 to 54 on their brand preferences, likes and dislikes.
The survey revealed the top designer fashion labels owned by women were Calvin Klein, Gucci and Nicole Fahri at 52%, 39% and 36% respectively.
Overall, more women were choosing to shop on the high street, with 75% admitting to owning Gap clothes and a further 66% buying from Swedish high street retailer H&M.
Marks & Spencer was way out ahead as the top brand for underwear with its closest competitor being the Wonderbra at 36%. Despite women earning more, 74% own M&S underwear while less than a quarter have Agent Provocateur and Victoria's Secret brands.
In addition, most of the women surveyed believed personal grooming was central to their confidence and most thought they looked five years younger than their real age.
Most women admitted to a weakness for shoes, with the average woman owning 16 pairs, five of which were unworn.
Vogue readers are also health-conscious creatures. Almost three quarters regularly bought organic food, while 39% worked out in the gym two or three times a week.
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