Where to shop in Miami, from high fashion to vintage vinyl
Part of the fun of shopping in Miami comes with strolling through its pedestrian streets and al fresco malls, soaking up the sun while you soak in the singular Art Deco architecture and tropical landscape. Start with Lincoln Road Mall, perfect for people watching in the heart of South Beach, then explore tranquil Sunset Harbour overlooking Biscayne Bay and the ritzy Bal Harbour Shops and Design District for luxury boutiques and designer flagships. From high fashion to indie bookstores and design shops, you're bound to find something uniquely Miami on your shopping excursion.
South Beach
frankie.
This trendy, sun-filled boutique in Sunset Harbour has a well-curated selection of fashion essentials for a stylish Miami getaway. You’ll find everything from itty bitty swimsuits to chic floral-patterned sundresses – perfect for a day by the pool or on the beach. This is also where you’ll find fashion-forward party dresses by indie designer brands such as Fleur du Mal, Bec and Bridge and Delfi, and it's a great spot for scooping up casual daywear such as trendy denim and soft t-shirts. You’ll find a nice selection of delicate jewellery, shoes and other accessories on display.
Contact: 00 1 786 4794898; frankiemiami.com
Opening times: Mon-Sat, 10am-8pm; Sun, 11am-6pm
Prices: £££
Eberjey
Founded in Miami in 1996 by a pair of best friends, Eberjey is a line of soft lingerie and dreamy loungewear that’s rightfully earned itself a cult following. Their Sunset Harbour boutique is filled with lacy outfits, jersey sleepwear, swimsuits and coverups in their signature romantic prints and cuts. You’ll find jewellery, sandals and other accessories as well, and they also have a line of swimwear and sun dresses for little girls for the perfect mother-daughter look. Whether it’s a bikini with a ruffled top or a delicate underwear set, you’ll find a tempting little treat to take home with you.
Contact: 00 1 305 763 8839; eberjey.com
Opening times: Mon-Thu, 10am-8pm; Fri-Sat, 10am-9pm; Sun, 11am-6pm
Prices: ££
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Alchemist
Located on the fifth level of the architecturally significant parking garage at 1111 Lincoln Road, designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architects Herzog & de Meuron, Alchemist is Miami’s premier fashion concept shop. Encased in glass, it offers panoramic views of the city skyline while showcasing an artfully curated selection of fashion items by brands such as Alaia, Celine, Givenchy, Isabel Marant and more. A ceiling installation by the London-based Random International art collective features 48 mirrored panels that move kinetically as shoppers walk beneath, adding to the drama of the space.
Contact: 00 1 305 531 4815; shopalchemist.com
Opening times: Mon-Sun, 12pm-8pm
Prices: £££
Wynwood
FrangiPani
Located in the heart of the Wynwood Arts District, FrangiPani is a playful gift shop selling knick-knacks that will appeal to anyone and everyone. You’ll find items such as essential oil meditation spray, cat mugs, beaded necklaces and funny greeting cards. It’s a great shop to wander around in and discover unique items on the shelves. You might go home with a new iPhone case with a pretty floral design, a book of stickers, or any number of unusual Miami mementos. Everything in the shop follows their ethos of "sustainable, artistic and intelligently designed".
Contact: 00 1 305 573 1480; frangipanimiami.com
Opening times: Mon-Sun, 11am-7pm
Prices: ££
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Base
This longtime staple for high concept men’s fashion is now based in an airy, industrial Wynwood retail space, where you’ll find cool t-shirts by Commes Des Garcons and Anitya Fantôme alongside Boy Smells Candles and their proprietary Sand cologne. The shop has earned a cult following amongst Miami’s fashion-forward men for its clean, no-fuss aesthetic. Other favourite items include Hershel Supply Co. backpacks and duffels, Luis Morai jewelry and Kidrobot objets d’art. You’ll also find a selection of books, art magazines and other one-of-a-kind finds, all hand-selected by its founder, Steven Giles.
Contact: 00 1 305 531 4982; baseworld.com
Opening times: Mon-Sun, 11am-7pm
Prices: ££
Simonett Showroom
One of Miami’s most successful fashion labels, Style Mafia, has recently rebranded and is now going by Simonett – the name of its founder, Simonett Pereira. The newly eponymous brand launched when Pereira was only 22, and since then she has grown it into an internationally recognised line of women's haute couture with prices that, at the very least, look approachable. The minimalist showroom on the edge of Wynwood is filled with Simonett’s singular modern designs, instantly recognisable to those in the know for their ruffles, bell sleeves and voluminous trousers.
Contact: 00 1 786 801 0319; simonett.us
Opening times: Mon-Sat, 10am-6pm; closed Sunday
Prices: ££
Coral Gables
Books & Books
Founded by Mitchell Kaplan in 1982, Books & Books is the literary beacon of Miami. This, its main branch, occupies a lovely Mediterranean Revival building with a central courtyard and café, and has multiple wood-panelled, book-lined rooms that are perfect for getting lost in. There are additional outlets at Lincoln Road, Bal Harbour Shops and the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, and between them the they host over 60 author events every month. Kaplan is also the co-founder of the Miami International Book Fair, held every November.
Contact: 00 1 305 442 4048; booksandbooks.com
Opening times: Sun-Thu, 9am-11pm; Fri, Sat, 9am-midnight
Prices: £
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My Best Friend’s Closet
This cosy boutique on Miracle Mile is designed to make you feel like you’re rifling through your best friend’s closet. Packed with great finds from stylish yet accessible brands such as Mara Hoffman, House of Harlow 1960, 7 For All Mankind and Splendid, you’ll definitely find that cute outfit you’ve been searching for. They also carry an enviable collection of handbags, shoes and accessories. Founded by Miami local Patricia Flores, it’s a favourite amongst the city's fashion bloggers and fashionistas. If you want a taste of Miami style, this is the perfect place to start.
Contact: 00 1 305 443 4840; facebook.com/mybestfriendsclosetboutique
Opening times: Mon-Sat, 11am-7pm
Prices: ££
Coconut Grove
Ramona LaRue by Arianne
Created by Coconut Grove native Arianne Brown, Ramona LaRue is a line of luxurious, breezy silk silhouettes with prints inspired by hand-painted techniques. Think dramatic jumpsuits, kaftans, maxi dresses and trousers in gorgeous palm, zebra, butterfly and other organic prints. They tow the line between casual daywear and high fashion, which chimes perfectly with Miami's unique style. You’ll find lavish pieces such as velvet beaded bomber jackets, as well as basics such as silk chiffon tank tops. Brown’s Coconut Grove boutique is the original, but there are additional locations in South Beach and Midtown Miami too.
Contact: 00 1 786 564 5286; ramonalarue.com
Opening times: Mon-Sat, 11am-8pm; Sun, 11am-7pm
Prices: £££
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Design District
Sweat Records
Music aficionados and vinyl nerds should make a beeline for Sweat Records to sift through their bins of records that span the decades. Founded by Lauren “Lolo” Reskin, a local who can also be found DJing at local parties and events, Sweat Records has been an indie mainstay since 2005. With an eclectic collection of albums ranging from classic rock to gangster rap, and every conceivable genre between the two, it’s a treasure trove of musical gems. There’s also an on-site vegan coffee shop serving up cappuccinos and chai lattes made with almond or soy milk.
Contact: 00 1 786 693 9309; sweatrecordsmiami.com
Opening times: Mon-Sat, noon-10pm; Sun, noon-5pm
Prices: £
