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The city’s weather and lifestyle suggest simple, comfortable and inventive pieces. Shop for summer, resort and casual clothes. You will find great bargains everywhere; shoes, bags and leather goods are some of the best buys.

Rio has its fair share of gigantic shopping malls, but a visitor will be better off avoiding them—too crowded, too noisy, and too bland. For a sample of excellent local brands and interesting gifts, try the smaller shopping centers. Or opt for a leisurely stroll down Ipanema’s main drag, Rua Visconde de Pirajá, and its leafy side streets—the core of Rio’s shopping. Dias Ferreira Street in Leblon is another insider spot for exclusive shopping and wonderful finds such as Isabela Capeto.

A note on beachwear: No one takes their bathing-suit fashion more seriously than Brazilians, and while women do wear thongs, they would never go topless. As a result, the world’s finest bikini choices can be found here. Among the top names: Rosa Chá (Fashion Mall), Salinas (most shopping centers), Lenny, Blue Man and Bum Bum. Tip: Ask for “export sizes” if the small bottoms seem too daunting.

Carioca tip: For the most interesting beachwear, locals head to a sporty mall, Galeria River. Cariocas live in Havaianas, wearing them from beach to restaurant to yoga class to cocktail party without a second thought. Not only do these trendy flip-flops range in price here (from $6 to $12), but they come in a wide array of colors, styles and patterns. The omnipresent Lojas Americanas (Rio’s version of K-mart) usually has a nice selection, and sportswear stores like Track & Field, Fisico e Forma and Sport Society (all shopping centers) carry special styles. And Mucky Skowrosnki customizes pairs with embroidery, sequins and rhinestones.