The Fashion Files: Five Local Places to Buy Sunglasses

Whether you stay cool by wearing the teashade sunglasses made famous by John Lennon, or elude the paparazzi in oversize shades a la Nicole Richie, summer is better and safer through sunglasses.

Luckily, New Tampa has numerous fashionable and budget-friendly options.

For seekers of affordable designer shades, look no farther than  16061 Tampa Palms Blvd. West. The predominantly women’s store offers an extensive collection of more than 150 women’s sunglasses that range in different size frames and include brands such as Michael Kors, Guess, Calvin Klein and Steve Madden. The average price range is $14.99 for something simple up to about $40 for sunglasses embedded with crystals on the sides. Sunglass readers are also available for around $15. Microfiber cloths are $1.99 and colorful, hard-shell cases are available for $6.99.

For even bigger brand names, but fewer options for the indecisive, there is Eye Doctors of New Tampa, 19062 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. There, customers will find brands such as Coach, Juicy Couture, Dolce and Gabbana, Lucky, and Nike. Prices range from $150 to $300. All sunglasses can also be made into prescriptions and clip-on shades for glasses are also for sale.

, 17016 Palm Pointe Dr., serves up a modest collection of shades suitable for those with active lifestyles. The store offers about 60 pairs in all, with UV 400 protection starting at $19.99 and topping out at $175. An array of sportswear and tennis gear is also readily available.

, 19910 Bruce B Downs Blvd., showcases more than 300 different types of sunglasses and offers a mix of women’s, men’s and children’s lenses. The price for women’s sunglasses ranges from $5 to $10 and a wide variety of gradient and polarized lenses including oversized frames, imitation Ray-Ban Wayfarers and thinner-framed styles as well. There are about two dozen different types of children’s sunglasses from kiddie pop culture icons such as iCarly, Barbie, Dora the Explorer and Hannah Montana.

And don't forget 6210 Commerce Palms Dr., which also has a modest collection of men and women’s sunglasses. Two revolving racks offer fashionable options from brands such as Relic, Levi’s and Calvin Klein. Prices range from $4.99 for pairs on sale to $19.99 for well-known brands.