Now with five stores in South Florida, and pictures of scantily-clad beauties traipsing through open fields, frolicking on deserted beaches wearing his swimsuits in the 2002 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, Ritchie’s store just off of Collins on 8th Street is a must-see in South Beach.

New styles include halter triangle, bow side bottom and a standard tank. Always managing to stay ahead of the trend-line, Ritchie’s bestsellers now come in Cream, Khaki, Red and Black, and are made of a durable crochet fabric.  And tell Ritchie we said Hello! 160 8th Street, Miami Beach, FL 33139 (305) 538-0201

ZARA South Beach is located in the prime Collins Avenue shopping district just north of Fifth Street and adjoins MNG by Mango, a slightly more expensive global fashion retailer with roots in nearby Barcelona that spread to the US in 2006. While Mango categorizes their fashions into casual, evening and sportswear collections, the ZARA brand seems more focused upon turnover – moving the looks in and out to keep customers interested in the next collection.

The South Beach branch joins the Dadeland and Aventura Mall locations offering men’s and women’s clothing in collections for both work and weekend. In addition to contemporary sportswear, denim, outerwear and knits, the range of handbags, shoes and accessories are designed with an eye on the runway but a healthy respect for the budget conscious fashionista.

While the women’s clothing appeals to a range of ages and lifestyles, too often the menswear is cut to a youthful, lean silhouette which may prove too slim fitting for an athletic build. With guys skinny jeans, logo tees and fine gauge knitwear, the overall image is geared more toward a young men’s market than an older shopper. Two Locations: 420 Lincoln Road and 590 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139 (305) 532-8002

While keeping the streamlined bone structure intact, the Webster now houses more than 20,000 square feet of luxury retail space designed to showcase top designer clothing, pricey jewelry, classic watches and a dreamy rooftop lounge. While most of the nearby Collins Avenue shops are resort-ready storefronts from popular mall retailers, few come close to offering such carefully edited selections from top designers. The chic trio who own and operate the boutique scour seasonal collections and present key pieces that are perfect for a Miami wardrobe. With years spent in the inner circles of Christian Lacroix, Lanvin, Tom Ford, Hermes, Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent, it is no wonder the directors have an insider’s perspective into the best the market has to offer!

To appeal to the bold fashion crowd, the ground floor offers luxurious contemporary sportswear and new designers. Because this is South Beach, expensive premium denim brands share the spotlight with collectible tees and chic swimwear. The second level ups the stakes to more status looks for men and women including ready-to-wear, bold accessories and amazing shoes. After feasting upon all the breathtaking buys inside, guests can retreat to the rooftop lounge to sip a cool cocktail and ponder how they’re EVER going to pay their American Express bills. 1220 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139 (305) 674-7899

The Vidal Sassoon Salon of South Beach offers the signature, tailored looks at a full service (regularly priced) beauty bar and also serves as an international teaching academy for aspiring Sassoon stylists. Prices are set according to the cutter’s rank from Level One Stylist up to the Salon or Regional Director. A range of pampering beauty treatments is available for both men and women.

The Sassoon Academy offers brave young women the opportunity to serve as hair models as well as student subjects for both cut and color. For an $18 investment, a training stylist crafts a brand new look under the watchful eyes of an experienced instructor. While the transformation may take up to 3 hours, the final result promises to be dazzling. Choose from classic (traditional) or creative (edgy) styles and watch what happens! Reservations are required for either the regular salon or the academy and are available 7 days a week. 660 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139 (305) 672-3600

So what’s all the fuss about? How about bohemian style clothes with a New York twist right here on South Beach? Not only do they carry men and women’s clothing, they also stock the coolest toys (guys with mullets collection) and everything for your house or apartment that you never knew you needed, but now can’t live without. How about those retro Pumas and old-fashioned roller skates? You’ve been forewarned: you may never leave. 653 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139 (305) 535-9726

UGG Australia uses the finest materials in their our products such as the highest quality leathers, suedes, and sheepskin. UGG Australia is the world’s largest purveyor of grade-A sheepskin and takes great care to ensure that every shoe is going to feel great from the moment the consumer tries it on.  640 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139 (305) 851-5796

Founded in 2002 by designer Jeffrey Lubell, the American made status denim collection affects a rather retro 1970s style, perfectly suited to a monied hipster market with a taste for vintage looks. Less than ten years old, the line now includes a knitwear collection, branded t-shirts, woven western-style shirting and active sportswear as well. Once True Religion achieved global name recognition, it was only a matter of time before they branched out into licensing deals with companies who produce hats, shoes, hosiery and glasses bearing the TR brand.

The South Beach flagship shop fairly buzzes with activity as local and international fashionistas comb the racks in search of their favorite fit and wash. Women’s collections dominate with a variety of jeans, ribbed tanks, printed & fitted western shirts, hoodies and even a few western-inspired swimsuits. The men’s selection is ideal for a youthful customer willing to part with hundreds of greenbacks for blue jeans with styles ranging up to $550 for a distressed pair of multi-patched denims aptly named “Texas Star!” While some may balk at that kind of investment for jeans, those dedicated to fashion’s True Religion simply don’t seem to mind. 644 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139 (305) 695-1919

Sisley’s contemporary sportswear is available at over 850 outlets across the world. While Benetton is known for bold primary colored clothing and sometimes controversial advertising campaigns, the Sisley brand targets a more sophisticated, quiet and self-assured customer. Women’s lines are spare with body-conscious tailoring, rock & roll details and accents in leather. Menswear looks also favor a slim-legged trouser or lean jeans and an extensive array of outerwear, jackets and knits.

One of the strongest aspects of the Sisley line is the extremely well-crafted accessory collection that can take an ordinary outfit to extraordinary heights for a modest investment. In slower economic times, purchasing a great bag, a pair of boots or even a bold pair of sunglasses can sometimes turn last season’s looks into brave new fashion statements without breaking the bank. 666 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139 (305) 673-3317

This isn’t your basic neighborhood mall Sephora either. The ocean breeze blows in through the open doors and the store is constantly flooded with sand-laden beach-goers, high-heeled young professionals on their lunch breaks and the occasional celebrity or two (you will recognize them by their low, over-sized hats and dark sunglasses). If you forgot to pack it or dropped it while you were dancing last night, rest assured your friends at Sephora are going to have it. 721 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139 (305) 532-0904

Ralph Lauren is a couture craftsman who carefully considers the best looks worn by American cowboys at work and socialites at play and turns them into easy modern separates for men, women and children. No matter your particular heritage or profession, an outfit from Lauren can immediately transform you into a Kennedy era yachtsman or a dead ringer for the Marlboro man. Originally launched in 1967, the brand evolved from a small line of men’s ties to a full women’s fashion collection by 1971. The publicly traded global corporation (with stock prices ranging up to $140 a share) currently produces men’s and women’s fragrances, home furnishings, accessories, clothing and eyewear sold in stores across the world.

The South Beach shop is part of a multi-unit retail empire that comprises over 150 full-price shops and just as many factory outlet stores across the world. Bargain shoppers often cruise the South Beach racks for ideas and inspiration, grab a fruit smoothie at the main floor juice bar and save their serious shopping dollars for the Sawgrass Mills discount outlet in Sunrise. Edited for the resort market, the women’s sportswear is highlighted on the street level and gents can also find a great selection on the second floor as well.  740 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139 (305) 672-7750

Partnering with young designers Giles Deacon (UK) and Sophie Theallet (Paris), Nine West adds an edgy flair with Deacon’s bold signature totes, funky jewelry and Theallet’s delicate girly accents. To affect a rich, bohemian vibe, check into the Nine West Vintage America Collection – a denim ready line of jewelry and footwear that pairs perfectly with your favorite jeans. Great casual shoes include chunky platform sandals, bold colored espadrilles and low rise boots. Inspired by model, muse and vocalist Karen Elson, the overall effect gives you a vintage rock star edge that’s understated and easy to carry off. 673 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139 (305) 672-0330

The multi-leveled South Beach boutique is quaint and the one-on-one service is unsurpassed. Even if you are just browsing the attentive staff makes you’ll feel like a queen, ready to meet your every need. And the best part about this boutique is you’ll never have to wait in line at a register. OK, so they don’t carry an entire men’s line, but the boxers and ties they do carry are to die for. 656 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139 (305) 535-2200

Well, now the secret is out and frenzied women can’t get enough. Every color you can dream of (and then some) is available for eyes, cheeks and lips. Electric blue mascara? Check. Deep purple lipstick, teal eye liner, bright orange blush? Check, check, check.

And sweat as you might, this stuff stays on—an impossible feat in the Miami humidity. What MAC product can’t women in Miami live without? The apply-it-and-it-lasts-for-hours Lip Glass—any color, choose your poison.  650 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139 (305) 604-9040

Fans of limited edition action figures, Japanese Anime, collectible sneakers and graffiti-art flock to the KidRobot stores and website to experience the curious intersection of fashion, cartoons, comics and music that fuels the company’s imaginative product mix. Budnitz and his friend Tristan Eaton collaborated on the now famous and best selling toy figures “Munny & Dunny” and also invited other young artists and illustrators to create characters for global distribution. By 2006, the artists helped inspire an exclusive, limited edition clothing line that was immediately snapped up by some of the most exclusive boutiques across the globe.

The iconic KidRobot characters fuelled a pop cultural explosion, inspiring features in glossy design publications and ultimately gaining spots in the Museum of Modern Art and the Cooper-Hewitt Smithsonian Museum. The South Beach shop attracts an international clientele who are willing to pay hundreds of dollars for the art toys, branded clothing and decorative figures. The store’s exciting mix of colorful tees, quirky plush characters, unique books and oddball objects makes for a pricey world of wonder for whimsical adults and the kids who love them.  638 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139 (305) 673-5807

Best described as elegant yet subtly sexy, this store is one of the most fun to shop at on the beach. Imagine two floors of the best quality-made shoes, clothing (that’s not something you find in every Kenneth Cole store!), bags, belts, watches, jewelry and sunglasses known to man.

Men’s apparel and accessories are located on the first floor while women shop upstairs. And ladies, you definitely got the better end of the bargain here—while you try on shoes you can gaze out the floor to ceiling windows and people watch or just take in the glorious blue skies. Ahh, heaven. 190 8th St, Miami Beach, FL 33139 (305) 673-5151

Although they do market their own label, most of the clothing, shoes and accessories are products of the trendiest and most sought after designers (think teeny tiny Tomas Maier swimsuits, irresistible Catherine Malandrino dresses and the occasional Jimmy Choo).

Admittedly the staff seems a bit stuffy at first (you are on South Beach, remember?), but have no fear, they cater to celebrities and common folk alike. And did we mention the boutique is located a mere two blocks from the ocean? C’mon, does it get any better than that?

OK, so maybe you aren’t J Lo and can’t budget in that perfect $510 lavender canvas travel bag. But stop in anyway, they have amazing sale racks, too.  634 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139 (305) 531-5950

Their unique cuts, unexpected patterns and sporty chic style (not to mention cool window displays) had us beating down their door even before they even opened to the public. We can’t lie, some of the pieces will give you sticker shock, but that hasn’t kept the constant mob of shoppers away.

A far cry from the Diesel Style Lab in New York, this slightly more modest location will provide you with great gear for the beach. It may have been the cool ad campaigns that lured you in, but it’s the perfectly cut jeans and comfortable square-toed sneakers that will keep coming back for more. 801 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139 (305) 535-9655

This is yet another store that offers great selections for girls and guys and they even stock their own line of cosmetics and facial care items (which, by the way, are fantastic—be sure and try the clay facial mask).

Straight leg pants, ruffled minis, wife beater tanks and knee-length pleated skirts that are as easy to mix and match as couples at a swinger’s party. We love this store because the merchandise is more classic than it is super trendy so you can wear the jackets or your favorite pair of pants for seasons to come. Even that pair of nude fishnets is an investment well worth making.  624 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139 (305) 674-7446

Besides, what could be more Miami than that? In fact, they provide the perfect wardrobe staples for anyone spending any quality time in South Florida. Everything comes in bright sunny colors—you name it, strappy sexy tanks, lightweight linen skirts and pants, even fabulous shirts for you guys. And they’ve been known to carry the occasional sarong and flowered beach ready shorts, too.

So take these words of wisdom with you on your next shopping excursion: when in doubt, buy with those you trust.  666 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139 (305) 538-3777

Barneys started selling upscale women’s clothing in 1976 and eventually expanded it’s influence in the contemporary sportswear arena with the advent of the COOP department within the NY flagship store to showcase younger designers targeting a more youthful audience. The notion of a curated designer showcase for wealthy teens and twenty-somethings took flight and the brand expanded to nearly two dozen freestanding regular-priced COOP shops and 14 discount outlets (including one at Sawgrass Mills Mall) all across the United States. The South Beach COOP brings popular name brands and a significant number of up-and-coming labels to an area where there is little competition.

If your holiday budget can expand to include pricey designer jeans, trendy footwear and fabulous accessories, take your credit cards for a stroll through the men’s and women’s apparel departments on Collins Avenue. Seasonal sales attract an army of dedicated followers of fashion from all over South Florida who regard Barneys sales notices as urgent calls to action! Dubbed “the wayward offspring of Barneys New York,” the COOP is a great place to survey up and coming trends before the mainstream market fully embraces them.

832 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139 (305) 421-2010