When I left clinical nursing behind, I was looking forward to being out of a uniform. Twenty-five years in various nurses uniforms had taken it’s toll and I was looking to expressing some individuality.
Well, thank goodness I ended up in research! The idea of wearing corporate-wear every day of the week gives me (as my dear Dad used to say) the dry horrors. All that black-ergh 
If you have been following this blog, you can see, I am not a huge fan of black, I much prefer to wear colour and find black drains my appearance so I look tired and old. Although I still work in research, I am periodically called upon to liaise with stakeholders and do need to have some sort of corporate workwear. I tend toward navy for most of it, but I do have a black coat which gets dragged out on cold mornings. Most of the time I feel drab in it and I don’t like the way it shows any fluff that I’ve picked up; I have told myself for the last 5 years that I must do something to brighten it up. I bought a set of ska-inspired check buttons last year, but they have languished in my button jar and not been put to use 
but on Saturday, whilst looking for fabric for a Tarzan-themed party (!), I chanced upon a 2m remnant of Chinese silk brocade for $10 at Textile Traders. It is gorgeous and I thought just the thing for brightening up my drab, black coat. I couldn’t wait to get home and start the process 🙂
I made a new collar based on the existing one, lined it and sewed it over the top; the long edges are bound in the silk and I intend doing the same at the ends of the sleeves as they are starting to look a bit shabby. 
The effect is luxurious and exotic and gave rise to several positive comments this morning.
jenn plays recorder 
What a gorgeous idea Jenny. Your black coat looks great now. I am with you on black clothes as I think they are boring and really don’t suit my complexion or personality. I like bright best.
That is an excellent idea!
Thanks Ladies, I feel better about wearing the drab thing now!
Positively sumptuous, dahling! Great hack and update.
Oh thankyou Luvvie! Where are you atm, finished with the moving and back home?
I’ve used to think that people who wear black (mostly) have no imagination or self confidence. Then I moved to Melbourne! Now I just find it boring.
Unlike your coat which is lovely.
Isn’t the commute awful with all those people in black, it all looks so miserable to me! At least the coat is a little more interesting now 😉
Looks much better now, Jenny. I found this as well whenever I used to take the bus into the city on a weekday morning – everyone’s wearing the same thing!
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