I wont say that I never carry one of my black bags in the summer, but I do feel they are a little to heavy for the warm weather, because of the color and because my black bags are most Legacy pieces or other "thick" leather bags. If I had a garcia leather or similar lightweight black bag, however, I might use them more often. I dont really do pastels either, though, so my summer bags are usually my colorful, lightweight leather bags. And I agree that pretty summery scarves/fobs definitely lighten up the leather bags.