PenName

ofanotherfashion:

Howard University chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority (1945)

Saw this and wondered about the date. The clothing, shoes, hairstyles, and accessories all say 1920s to very early 1930s to me.

All of the dresses have dropped waists. In the 1940s, the waist had re-appeared at its natural location. If this was early 1945, the wartime austerity in clothing would have still been going on. There is too much fabric in these dresses for the period, unless they’re being used as costumes.

The shoes have fairly pointed toes. In the 1940s, a more rounded toe for women’s shoes was popular. The shoes that have ankle straps, the straps themselves are placed lower on the foot. The ankle straps of 1940s shoes were up higher, at the skinniest part of the ankle.

The hairstyles are classic 1920s, finger waved and/or close to the scalp.

Is it mis-dated? Is it a dress like your moms pageant?