I’ve washed a couple of tweed jackets that had a lingering fustiness about them. The boom years stuff came from an era where half the population smoked like chimneys and the only way to get ride of that odour is by washing. I used a weak solution of Woolite and handwashed the jacket in the sink, rinsed thoroughly, then spun the jacket dry. It pays to check the lining first and sew up any seams that have come adrift. I laid it out flat to dry, trying to smooth out any creases and pull it into shape. Once dry carefully press it with a steam iron on a low setting. You then have a fresh and clean jacket and it’s surprising how the colours in the cloth come up through washing. A clothes steamer is handy for freshening up vintage clobber.

Colin - do you remember this thread about US Navy Dixie Cup hats? You can’t read a lot of it now, but enthusiasts were advocating them worn with the brim turned down, which made it look like you had a flowerpot on your head.
Topically, it then progressed to dying them with cold coffee so that they were not such a stark white colour as when you bought them from the army surplus store.
I see I was rather scathing about it all as it wasn’t a great look, enthusiasm crossing into eccentricity.

http://forums.filmnoirbuff.com/viewtopic.php?id=11326&p=5

Understand the caution, but my friend reassured me what steps to take. Have dyed very evenly to my surprise. Might even wear them out and about today if the sun holds. I wouldn't have worn them much if I hadn't risked it, I don't think. Clearly I live life on the edge...