Sometimes it's amazing how different eras of clothing can be so alike.
Take this suede leather sportscoat for instance:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjP3rJtA4y1GzhOm8ng9NPWRsqJgCD7H2RkEvulb7xBXZxv6cKA90ETmIZNwXhUhWv2hf7EyQEs5v4TDlBZVtysz7koRA5K1pxkYbuqoxzVFM4T6lfQbBUF8JF92_CF26QC2B2TcadtSUq/s320/001.jpg)
While at a glance it looks like something you might expect to find from the 1970s (especially with that orangish-brown color), this sportscoat is actually from the 1940s, perhaps a little earlier.
The devil is in the details, such as the belted back with two small pleats above it and buttons:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxDXnFAedetZ1V45ozrrgnXbehI6pj6Ha7HBDlHhetfuHbNZdzl0F3D09lvCAT_-d6RnMUVJvHNl6Oyc8v0s21G9iDXXK0eA-KKUeTkcyOGJgxUGSKhmupdtoO3w81ADq_10mhufkY73HP/s320/002.jpg)
And the 1940s-style tag as well as the silver/gray rayon lining:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpqi8XbOP5mLITus8CGDChAwjrLqFyq-fG8tyU0jsRM1UtoB3LYMO-d5t5_iq0g0eMmSpvOtA5OcCZKNakpGMkdj93c1007_xZOpmASpei5jWnesF1j1vGCGbqxEVFhArUYIH_m2UcYy6q/s320/003.jpg)
Or the Art Deco plastic buttons:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAYjwzEwb5LA0ei9KU6kH1yNld3GTX9D9W0bTfAqvSot3I7Vl9XNT6fTpFVz4CqPgOeyQya06Njfj2pYuKGlIl92gMQCDwYAi9aVvkXlsPGr11McZ4YDWtjLqHqZIms5ysKzIyVGjXFuBE/s320/004.jpg)
Happily, the Fall/Winter 1944-'45 copy of the Sears, Roebuck catalog
shows an incredibly similar suede leather jacket (sans belted back):
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoteV_x_Ji47S_YnWvOgLj52S3F9IPqE-ZI6Kt6R4em1GIX0tbPQ0LyqyvcDVq3H4IIf7OYhgohkvAvGoueVuJ9JSGpBSHOLI_TwbT8N2yvrT3Jv5XyMWpxCLLXACLTVxJGWhfgp6YoqCS/s320/1944-1945+Sears,+Roebucks+suede+jacket.jpg)
Now, what to wear with such an unusual vintage jacket?
How about something casual like a flannel button-down shirt,
vintage Stratoliner fedora, jeans and vintage sunglasses?
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ8RByIR3uDqbuYc0i0a_cyqWDhFtYiilOuYxk3wyxK0Y15iQFbw5tGutYln7LOeyioIF30J7HoBjY9asgtpQKtPoID9-rKxxhfsPr-Qyb2he29p2az948QVMGSCJbS64V18GX0ZiCKC0n/s320/me+102.jpg)
My first vintage leather jacket.