
October 1943. Washington, D.C. "Sweaters and long ropes of beads are popular with the girls at Woodrow Wilson High School." View full size. Photograph by Esther Bubley for the Office of War Information.
First, the textbooks look quite old. I hope none were history.
Second, the lips. I don't know if it was Japanese geisha images or Betty Boop cartoons, but something misled women into thinking this look was "cute." (Since this photo was taken smack in the middle of WWII, I'd put my money on Betty.)
This fashion made women look stupid, in my opinion. It also lasted way too long, as I can remember Lucy Ricardo and Ethel Mertz sporting the "I'm just a subservient geisha" look (now totally P/C) well into the 50's.
These Woodrow Wilson High pics make me think, more than ever, "the more things change, the more they stay the same."