This 1947 pic of “macho man” John Wayne sporting a moose knuckle in short shorts has everyone talking

Are men today really dressing less masculine than they used to? Definitely not, as a recent viral tweet pointed out: even so-called masculine icons like spaghetti western superstar John Wayne were rocking fruity fits as early as the 1940s.

“Boomers: Kids nowadays dress so gay, what happened to real men like John Wayne?” wrote Twitter user @Meltart. She followed it up with a 1947 photo showing Wayne on vacation in Acapulco in an out-of-character outfit: skin-tight short shorts, a stylish hat, and a tasteful pair of sandals, with a strappy purse on his shoulder.

People’s eyes were immediately drawn to Wayne’s skimpy shorts, which put his … ahem, physique on full display…

Uh…my wife pointed out -> is that a toe?— Craig Egge (@CraigEgge) April 8, 2023

oh lord that moose crease i can’t look away …— John O’Sullivan (@JohnOSullivan36) April 9, 2023

Confirmed at last: The Duke dresses left!— Charles O’Donnell, Alphabet Male (він/його) (@kozmickid) April 8, 2023

I feel like the pained look on his face is fully explained. — Carrie (@violetwidow131) April 9, 2023

Some folks focused on his other accessories, wondering what brand of sandal the Golden Age actor preferred…

not John Wayne in espadrilles. pic.twitter.com/qjclzTqANI— mazal boh berrie U- (@lezelmaz) April 8, 2023

His purse matches his espadrilles…— JeweledSkye (@JeweledSkye) April 9, 2023

Not gonna lie, love the espadrilles for him.— Post.news/BornInDaEB (@iAMYStifiEdLF) April 8, 2023

The man bag …. the package sculpting shorts … the SHOES … I had no idea!— Archivist1000 (@Archivist1000) April 8, 2023

Ragging on Wayne for his outfit might seem unfair at first — but Wayne himself was a first-rate bigot, so a little ridicule is deserved.

He was famously conservative, with regressive views on race and sexuality. In an infamous Playboy interview from 1971, he expressed his racist views, saying, “I believe in white supremacy.”

He also said that he considered films with gay characters (like Midnight Cowboy, which he called “a story about two f*gs”) to be perverted.

Class A racist and all around shitty guy.— Melissa Good Trouble (@Meltart) April 8, 2023

Thus, Wayne was one of the first in the grand tradition of homophobic gays wearing homoerotic outfits.

Some users drew comparisons to modern-day country singer Travis Tritt, who recently expressed outrage at Bud Light’s partnership with trans influencer Dylan Mulvaney — though clearly, Tritt is no stranger to dressing rather flamboyantly himself.

Looks like “The Duke” might have influenced Travis Tritt. pic.twitter.com/NIqx6WfCaU— Alfredo (@PaddockEyes) April 8, 2023

Besides, Wayne wasn’t the only vintage man to try out a more feminine style. Some users replied with pictures of other 20th-century celebs, like physicist Albert Einstein, who had some strappy shoes of his own, and Olympic swimmer Johnny Weissmuller, whose swimsuit would raise some eyebrows at the pool…

Einstein’s shoes. Let go back even further… pic.twitter.com/vl49IFHh6P— Blinddog (@Blind_Dogg) April 8, 2023

Johnny Weissmuller “Tarzan” pic.twitter.com/eDIzTLMqEA— Robin Flach (@theDiFiori) April 8, 2023

Still others pointed out that short shorts like Wayne’s were just the style of the times. Anyone pretending modern trends of dressing “gay” are brand new hasn’t been paying attention.

I dated my ex husband in the 70s. He wore corduroy shorts with about 4 inch inseam in very bright colors. Didn’t think a thing about it then, but I giggle when I think about it now. — THIS NONNA VOTES BLUE (@socalgalnok_1) April 8, 2023