In barely a decade, the half-mile pedestrian mall that runs through the heart of South Beach has transformed from a collection of bohemian shops, gay-friendly establishments, and tchotchke-filled retailers into an open-air orgy of international brands and restaurants. Whether the scruffy Lincoln Road of yesteryear is better than the gleaming version of today is up for debate, but this fact is indisputable: The blocks of shopping and dining from Washington Avenue to Alton Road have never been more popular. Zara, H&M, Gap, Lululemon, Apple, Nike, Victoria's Secret, Scotch & Soda, Urban Outfitters, Meat Market, Shake Shack, Starbucks, and many others can be found here, making a drive to suburban areas like Aventura and Kendall unnecessary for urbanites. The Morris Lapidus-designed promenade still holds onto its old-school charm thanks to street performers working for tips and shirtless rollerbladers zipping up and down the strip. Plus, the people-watching is still free, and there's still no Orange Julius in sight. Sure, you won't be able to escape the heat like at a traditional indoor mall, but you can cool down with a scoop of ice cream at the Frieze or a cocktail at Segafredo.

Readers' choice: Aventura Mall

In hindsight, it's easy to say Wynwood's transformation from scruffy warehouse district to international hipster haven was inevitable. But in 2013, it took serious foresight to land a prime location in the world's new selfie capital. That's exactly what MVM did four years ago thanks to owner Melissa Mosheim's eye for knowing a good thing when she sees it. Mosheim is also a noted prophet of what women want in clothing and accessories. Her fashion boutique is a cool-girl's paradise and carries a covetable mix of established brands such as Citizens of Humanity and Mother Denim, alongside emerging labels such as Flynn Skye, Acrobat, and Grace Willow. Prices range from $55 for a printed T-shirt to $500 for an evening gown. Naturally, the folks working at MVM know a thing or two about styling an outfit and are eager to help customers choose the right ensemble for a pool party, wedding, or night on the town. The store stocks tops, bottoms, dresses, swimwear, accessories, and shoes that are hard to come by at other Miami clothing stores. Wynwood has changed a lot since 2013, but for now it's still a neighborhood that knows how to express individuality — just like its pioneering fashion shop.

Readers' choice: Emporium

You could drive to your local mall, rummage through the clearance rack in the small section dedicated to men's clothing at whatever fast-fashion store you happen to stumble upon, and just be done with your latest mission to update your threads. Or you could support a local independent store that understands that men need to feel relaxed in order to get in the shopping mood. Brothers & Brawlers, the flagship by local eyewear brand DiRocco, opened in late 2016 to offer Miami men an oasis that is part shared workspace and coffee shop and part clothing and accessories store. In this 7,000-square-foot man cave, you'll find one-of-a-kind furniture pieces, Seaweed & Gravel motorcycles, and bespoke threads — all of it for sale. You'll find T-shirts emblazoned with the Brothers & Brawlers name and brands such as Ace Marks, Wynwood Watch Co., Manready Mercantile, PF Flyers, the Brooklyn Circus, Knickerbocker Mfg. Co., Hue, and Slightly Sinister. But the real gems are the tailored suits custom-made in New York. Of course, looking stylish will cost you more than that $10 shirt you picked up at Forever 21. Store prices range from $20 to $2,000, but looking like a well-put-together man is a worthwhile investment.

Jack and the Beanstalk is not a story about a growing plant. No, this classic fable actually refer to the way kids start out oh so tiny and, with only a splash of breast milk or formula, become giant crawling creatures in the blink of an eye. The moral of the story is that your kids will grow out of their clothing very quickly and that you should be prepared. And because babies need literally everything done for them (mooches!), buying gently used, and thus cheaper, clothing is the way to go. For more than 35 years, the Children's Exchange in South Miami has been selling affordable and adorable baby and kids' clothing and gear, as well as Toke Shoes for tots' feet. So whether you forgot to put that Polo onesie on before the kid gained five pounds or she pooped through the perfect dress before the family photo, you'll feel the sting on your wallet a lot less if you get a replacement at this trusted store.

We won't ask questions about why you need to disguise yourself as a knight in shining armor, Superman, or Princess Leia — we all have our kinks — but it's worth a trip across the county line to visit Crazy About Costumes to track down your getup. The cash-only, husband-and-wife business offers the personalized service of a true mom-and-pop operation, and owners Karen and Keith really know how to dress you up right. Maybe you're a part-time LARPer with a unique request to finish off that Comic-Con-worthy fantasy outfit. Simply describe your vision, and they'll procure the necessary items in just minutes, accessories and all. Or perhaps your daughter needs a full princess look for her birthday. Crazy About Costumes will help you keep your sanity through all the requests, from the wig and the dress to the crown and the shoes. That unicorn pony, however, might be on you. Most of the costumes are available to rent, but some stuff is ready to buy at the right price. All of it is topnotch, much of it made with authentic silk, leather, and velvet, so you won't look like the dollar-store, rip-off version of Capt. Jack Sparrow when you show up at the next costume party.

Can you tell the difference between a throwback Adidas X Ozweego Bunny designed by Belgian legend Raf Simmons and an Air Foamposite One from Nike? If the answer is yes, chances are you are a certified sneaker head and you already know about Shoe Gallery. If not, let us clue you in: Founder Abram Waserstein fled Cuba four decades ago, leaving his successful shoe business behind to start over in Miami. Of course, Waserstein couldn't stay out of the kicks game: He opened his stateside shoe gallery in 1979, and six years later, his son Jaime brought his own game to the shop, expanding to include then-relevant brands such as Clark's and Kangol. In 2000, a third generation, Danny, took over and took Shoe Gallery to the next level. These days, the shop is often among a select number of stores nationwide chosen to carry super-limited-edition runs, such as the latest pair of Yeezys or Jordans. To top it off, Shoe Gallery regularly teams up with big-name brands — including Adidas, New Balance, and Saucony — to create special-edition kicks inspired by the Magic City. Whether you need those Adidas NMD R1s in that Datamosh Vapour Steel pattern or some old-school Adidas Inikis, Danny's got 'em. Unlike most sneaker spots, Shoe Gallery carries an equal assortment for both men and women, so there's no worry you'll have to search for a size or color.

Readers' choice: FootWorks

Ask any true Miamian to rank her most important item of clothing, and — if she's living in America's tropical capital — she'll point to her swimsuit. You can't really function in the 305 unless you've got some decent beachwear. Whether you're looking for a teeny-weeny bikini, a one-piece, or a monokini, the Lila Nikole Collection can perfectly fill that all-important slot in your wardrobe. Launched by Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale graduate Lila Nikole Rivera, the company offers a colorful collection of Miami-inspired swimwear. Rivera isn't afraid to think outside the mono-color box: She even offers a Star Wars-themed line complete with a low-cut Chewbacca suit, in case you enjoy roaring like a Wookiee on South Beach. Lila Nikole swimwear has graced the pages of the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue and been modeled by the likes of Chrissy Teigen. Prices go up to about $150, but the website also offers a selection of swimsuits priced at just $19.99, so Lila Nikole is within your reach even if you aren't a cover girl.

Good things really do come in small packages — especially at Le Beauty Room. This lingerie shop is tiny but sexy. The brands and styles change frequently, so there's nothing hanging around from two seasons ago. And if you need help picking the perfect teddy, Le Beauty Room might be the most stress-free lingerie and swimsuit shopping excursion you'll ever experience, mostly thanks to Tavia, the owner. She'll have you in and out in less than 15 minutes with exactly what you envisioned. Need a photo to make sure you look truly bootylicious? She's got you. Her staff will guide you through all the options, from the demure and vintage to the kinky and X-rated. Everything on display comes in a variety of colors and sizes, so there's never any disappointment that something you see won't fit. Better than any other lingerie store in town, this spot nails bachelorette parties. Available for ten to 20 guests for $20 per person, the sexy, private soiree shuts down the entire shop for two to three hours and offers a choice of pole-dancing, chair-dancing, or belly-dancing instruction accompanied by wine, cheese, crackers, and a "sexy-time" intimacy workshop. If you and your girls don't want to do all the work yourselves, you can always call in a male entertainer to help get things heated. You even get your very own porn name for the night, so you can be sweet as Candy, pampered like Princess, or spanked like Starr. Then go home and act like none of it ever happened, or put it to good use.

Jeans, jackets, dresses: They don't make 'em like they used to, and French 75 Vintage's Kelly Nugent knows it. "Thirty years ago, they were made to last and not disintegrate in the laundry," Nugent says. "Nothing from the big chain stores lasts anymore." That's why this Miami mami has dedicated herself to giving fashion fans the best and brightest retro looks. French 75 Vintage is an online retailer selling stylish threads from the '70s, '80s, and '90s, revamped to give buyers the best new-age look with a throwback vibe. You can find pieces such as a jumpsuit for about $40, an oversize '80s safari-animal-print blouse for $24.86, and a '90s striped velour full-length dress for $37.30. She's not just running a website, though. French 75 Vintage pops up all over Miami most weekends. Look for Nugent at the Miami Flea Market, FAT Village Artwalk, and Wynwood Market Place, where her offerings are always cool, colorful, and one-of-a-kind. "I love vintage because of its originality," she says. "Style isn't always easy, but with vintage, there's nothing to it. It speaks for itself. You never have to be afraid of someone wearing the same outfit, and you look cool as hell." Follow French 75 Vintage on Instagram to find out where you can meet Nugent IRL and peruse her long-lasting getups for your more stylish tomorrow.

Thrifting is fun until it's not. Why spend a Saturday digging through smelly, hit-or-miss secondhand shops searching for a hidden gem when you can wander into a treasure chest? Owned by mother-and-daughter duo Jennifer Vosters Kaloti and Jenna Kaloti-Ramirez, the Recycled Closet does all the work of curating those vintage finds for you. Inside this cheery shop near the Falls, you'll find brands like Alice + Olivia, Free People, and Wildfox, all for 70 percent less than what you'd pay at the mall. New merchandise is posted daily on the shop's Instagram (@therecycledcloset) page, along with styling ideas for those perfectly dated duds. And if you have old clothes of your own, the Recycled Closet is happy to accept them on consignment: You'll pocket 40 percent of the sale price.

Readers' choice: Miami Twice