A "wifebeater" anecdote

[Carol]

> > Carol, who will give the reasons for her concern, suggest "tank
top" and "muscle shirt" as possible alternatives, and leave the
decision up to the client
> 
> Petra:
> 
> If this is suppose to be a romance novel, wouldn't it be sexier if
the guy is not wearing any shirt at all, say, wearing only the shadow
from his chest hair?  <eg>  For the record, I tend to skip over
garment descriptions in romance novels.
> 
> So, is this guy the main male protagonist?  If not, perhaps the term
"wifebeater" serves more purposes than just to suggest a
well-developed torso.  Has anyone suggested "muscle-T" yet?

Carol:

Yes, he's the male protagonist, and the purpose of the shirt as a plot
device is to draw attention to his chest muscles. At the point in the
manuscript that I've currently reached, he's just taken it off, along
with his boxers, and is in the process of taking a rather too detailed
(but tastefully depicted) shower. I expect the female protagonist to
step into the bathroom for a surprise encounter at any moment. I
shouldn't say any more; it's an unpublished book.

No one has suggested "muscle-T" yet but that's a good one, and not as
mysterious as "beater" to someone unfamiliar with the term."

Carol, thanking everyone for their suggestions, including the two
young men from the grocery store, whom I rather hope I'll never see again!