Summerberry,
I actually don't wear too many bright colors to work. If I do, it is only one piece. Like a shirt, or a jacket, or a scarf, sometimes, it's just my shoes.
I do brighter colors for social functions.
Yes, I do have a closet full of born shoes... and very few others that I am still wearing. My nude shoes, I have only worn it twice. Every time I wear it, I wonder why women would put up with such pain. It's a little sexier, I admit, but to me, it still does not justify the pain... especially if my born shoes aren't that bad looking. They feel like gym shoes, but is pretty close to nice dress shoes.