Absolutely, the locals can wear whatever colour they like, but the distinct dominance of black clothes in sunnier climes surprised me, especially when you have a city with brightly painted houses as the backdrop.
As said by a few posters, maybe it's down to some complexions suiting black more, but on a large scale it does seem dreary. I'm glad I'm not the only one who finds black unflattering on them. I'll just look like a typical tourist in my bright Boden colours.
I need to stop overthinking this, trying to match places to colours in my mind. I honestly don't notice colours in Northern Europe, so this new departure will be interesting.
PS you'd be fine in France JamesandJon. Navy rules!