Do you still have a knife pleat midi skirt? That is how I would wear it, maybe another thing to try?

Also: I too find that black/white mixes that look grey from a distance look too muddy now that my hair has greyed so much. (Or perhaps they always did.) What can make it work for me, is combining it with black and/or white to up the contrast, rather than adding colour. Kind of like how you glow in 2 where the jacket stands against the black top.

This is a very interesting thread for me and Roxanna's response totally resonates. Sometimes the best made jacket goes astray. I think you should try to sell it or pass it on to someone who will appreciate it. It looks splendid with the red pants, but that is a certain kind of look - modern retro eclectic? - and not exactly your style or color from what I have seen.

Ditto Janet and Roxanna. I think you kind of know yourself when you said:

I can’t imagine an outfit where I wouldn’t rather reach for something else instead.

That would make it a definite pass for me.

I was brunette when I wore it before. How could I forgot that, that could also be part of the problem.
I decided to store it in my memory box, even though I cannot imagine wearing it, I can’t part with it either. Too many memories associated with it that are also preventing me from seeing it in new way.
When I retrieved memory box from the storage I couldn’t resist to try on my wedding dress. What a difference in fit, especially in bust area. Well that is what 23 years , 2 kids and 3 years of nursing does to your body.
We had a very small wedding, only two other couples, not even parents. And I didn’t want traditional white dress either.

Archie, you look positively gorgeous in your wedding dress, both then and now. I would pass on the jacket. To me, the best way of wearing it would be over a graphic print, similar to the lining of the jacket.

Oh, goodness! I was just about to write that you should wear the jacket over something uber feminine like your gorgeous wedding dress!

To bring the jacket into today's styling range, it needs high juxtaposition. See Clare Hornby's first outfit with the ruffled dress and blazer:
https://www.meandem.com/us/the.....8c2_7405_1

You might also pair the blazer with something uber casual, such as these jumpsuits:

https://www.nordstromrack.com/.....o_shopping

https://www.amazon.com/Donna-M.....CT9LB?th=1

I totally get the dilemma. In your shoes, I find myself wanting to wear the treasured piece against not wanting to buy something new to make it work. Do hang on to it if you are not sure yet. What is the cost of that?

Your wedding dress is adorable! Mine is hanging in Moscow apartment and last time I was trying it I felt similar way. It is a sleeveless dress and a short jacket/bolero topper in the same fabric - I didn't want traditional dress too .

Oooooo...one more thought: Pair with something like this in a bold color, like orange?

https://www.express.com/clothi.....lsrc=aw.ds

It’s a cute jacket, but it’s Quirky. Pacific Northwest/ Tennessee quirky. The groom and bride wore Chucks quirky. I don’t know if that’s quite the thing anymore.

Your wedding dress looks fantastic on you. Why not wear IRL these days?