Almost three-quarters say the recession has curbed their clothes spending fashion but one in four are spending up to €2,000 a year refreshing their wardrobe.

Women might be poorer but they still want to look pretty — more than a quarter are spending between €500 and €700 on hair and beauty appointments.

The Pembroke Communications’ survey on Irish women’s style and beauty habits found that one in four still get their style and beauty information from magazines.

Around one-in-five make style and beauty blogs their first port of call, while 12% get their information from shopping websites.

But it is family and friends that have a bigger influence. Almost 40% says family and friends sway their final purchase decision, compared to 21% who rely on magazines.

Three out of four women have bought clothes online in the last six months and just under 40% went web shopping for beauty products.

Almost half of women say they like to “try before they buy” and still prefer shopping in-store.

Style icon and designer, Victoria Beckham, is admired the most by Irish women, followed by actress turned shoe designer Amy Huberman and model and socialite Olivia Palermo.

However, over a third believe French women are the most stylish women in the world. Only 4% thought Irish women were fashionable.

Seven out of 10 women say they visit the hairdresser or beautician more than six times a year and almost 30% spend up to €700 a year on beauty treatments.

However, for most women, it is beauty on a budget — 64% say they have reined in their spending on beauty treatments because of the recession.

When asked to describe their style, only 9% say they are a dedicated follower of fashion.