When I see pictures like these I'm sort of torn.
On the one hand, they are a great treasure of people and clothing of times gone by and on the other hand some are rather lazily handled and executed.
People standing stiffly in front of the camera, has always been controversial to photographers. Irving Penn did it. Avedon did it and others.
The strange/interesting thing about it is, that's how an complete amateur would photographs someone. That's how my mom and dad took pictures of family and us kids. Stand there. Don't move...A total lack of direction and planning.
Then on the other hand we have incredible professionals doing it almost as a nostalgic tool making the pictures look like an amateur did them but with obvious care and attention. And because of that they elevate themselves to "art" somehow.
I'm not sure if it's a throwback to times when people couldn't move or smile in pictures due to the extremely slow shutter speeds and pro's are copying or paying tribute to that or exactly what it is.
But you can't deny their fascination and interest.