How to Tell if a Sport Coat is Vintage?

[Retro Spectator]

How does one tell if a sport coat is vintage? I am specifically looking for late 40s to mid 60s. What are unique features of sport coats from this era?

 

[Fastuni]

Why don't you peruse the "Suits" section a bit? [huh]

You'd find helpful threads like these:

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?22255-Show-off-the-sports-coats
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?60321-The-Thread-to-Display-1950s-Suits

 

[Rabbit]

If you're referring to American off-the-rack suits and odd jackets, there are four or five distinct styles in the period you mentioned. It's not a cohesive period at all. There's the wide-shouldered, easy-fitting, masculine look of the late 40s, then the short-lived bold look, the more sober styles of the mid to late 50s with a beginning of narrower lapels and more taper to the trousers, the late 50s to early 60s which was the last period to retain a true high waist while slimming down the silhouette considerably, and the mid 60s with its new aesthetic of very slim cuts, slim lapels and lower trouser rise.

British style periods are a little more blurred, but it's basically the same, only generally less fashion-forward.

You'll have to at least study period photos, catalogue illustrations and auction pics, if not handle the garments yourself; there's no shortcut. Take Fastuni's advice and read through the threads.