Thanks for all of the insight ladies-- I think you've helped me better figure out what is going on with me, even if I'm not sure how to deal with it yet.
A big part of it is that I don't wear muted colors, dusty colors, mid-tones, most pale colors. ect--- they aren't part of my "palette" and from experience they don't tend to look good on me. In the winter it is a non-issue to do a tone-on-tone look with dark neutrals (navy, chocolate, black, charcoal). It also isn't hard to incorporate brights and still avoid the "black and a pop of color" look by mixing with other dark neutrals. In the summer I find it harder to do-- the dark neutrals look too dark.
I think a huge part of my issue is that I don't wear white or cream-- I look decent in both, but don't wear white to work because I get dirty at work, and often don't wear it in hot weather because of the issue of body chemistry and sweat staining. I have nothing to "lighten up" my dark neutrals or serve as a bridge between them and brights.
I think part of my reaction is that there are very few pale or mid-tone colors that look good on me-- most of the colors are bright and rich or deep and dark. Claire does beautiful looks that incorporate a lot of lighter and mid greys with fabulous mid-tone and dusty blues (sometimes + turquoise (or red or another bright) or navy). Khris mixes her dark neutrals with muted dusty neutrals. Aida-- I'd agree that you wear a few more of the wintery shades better than I do (you look great in the light greys you were posting, which I look like death in)-- you have those light neutrals that help you bridge your darks and brights. Angie wears a ton of "my colors" and lots of black, but successfully bridges with white.
You all made some excellent points about looking for olive, camel, and navy!
I also think that part of my problem is that I just don't know how to dress in the heat, or especially to accommodate our harsh sun and widely swinging temperatures. In the past I was always working landscaping or construction -- and when I wasn't at work I was doing similar work at home, or headed to the mountains. I haven't worn anything sleeveless, shorts, ect. in years. Living somewhere hot it wasn't a problem, but figuring out what to wear so I don't freeze until 10 am and then bake until 6 pm is a little trying.
