Looks great Suz. I can see why you prefer the new jacket.

I have an orange military jacket. Years old. I haven’t been able to part with it because I absolutely love the style. It has this amazing really high stand up collar. But I never wear it because I don’t like the colour on me. (Must have had an orange moment all those years ago, probably because the only other colours available then were grey, black and blue.) It’s wool so I constantly think about dyeing it. But then I back out because there is a risk I will ruin it, and I’d much rather donate it to someone who will love it than ruin it. I suspect I will part with it this winter.

Well I feel a bit late as it is 4 days since you wrote this. I do like the new jacket but have been feeling sad about your giving up the older BR one. A couple of days ago I read all the posts where that jacket featured ( I got to those via the Find).
And I wondered… is it partly that your husband chose the BR one initially that made you not quite feel it was your choice? And does that raise a bigger question about how much we really emotionally “own” items that are gifts, or even recommended by our loved ones? Sometimes we do, I know, but I also have some gifts that I quite like and do wear but don’t feel the same attachment to as something I have chosen myself.
Also, I was thinking about it in terms of my desire for #30 wears and thinking that in 5 years you might have almost got there anyway- I don’t think you track wears but do you think it would be anywhere near that?
I guess I am just a bit sad about your possibly editing it out when it is so gorgeous and looks so good on you!

Jenni, thank you -- interesting thoughts and some good questions! It wasn't a gift, exactly . We were just in the store together and it was on sale and he liked it a lot for me and encouraged the purchase. But I was fully on board. It really is a style that suits me well. As Brooklyn implied, that stand collar style is not always available and if it is something that works well on a person, it's always tempting.

Well, it's still in the holding area -- and now I'm wondering if Brooklyn has an idea that might work -- maybe I could dye it?

It was an authentic choice for me, just not quite the right colour, if you know what I mean. It seemed better in the store's light.

And there have been political events in my country that make its associations more difficult for me than they were at the time.

I don't think I have got 30 wears from it yet. I think perhaps about 20. I bought it really as an occasional piece anyway.

But dyeing it might work! I would certainly wear it if it were blue, but not sure how likely it is I could get it that colour from red. Hmmm. It is worth investigating! It is made of poly, though -- I'm not sure how well poly would take dye.

!!! That’s a good essay.

Suz, I’ve never dyed poly but there are dyes available at retail that claim they can do it. Is the jacket washable? I wouldn’t try it if it’s dry clean only. Also, it would be hard to make it blue. It would always have a red undertone. You could possibly get it to a blue-red like burgundy or plum. I think it would look good in those colours (I’d take it myself!)

Brooklyn, it is washable for sure! And yes, plum or eggplant or burgundy could work on me really well, would not have the same associations for me, and would get use. I'm going to do some more research and check back. At worst, it could become a colour I didn't like, in which case I could just donate it after all. What's to lose? It might become a workhorse!

I love the new jacket, and can see what you mean about the old jacket. A plum jacket could be super-fab! I have never tried to dye poly, but there must be a way? One thing to think about is the top-stitching. In my experience, sometimes a fabric will take the dye, but the stitching won't, so you could potentially be left with a plum jacket with red stitching. May not be a dealbreaker, but something I've experienced.