into the wearer's skirt, slacks, or shorts.
In recent years, partially as a result of the increased popularity of T-shirts as an article of casual dress, various devices have been designed to accept and hold a gathered portion of a top garment to provide a slimmer and more acceptable fit. Many of such devices rely on friction (the fabric against the device) to hold the gathered fabric in place. However, during use, movement of the wearer is often sufficient to overcome the friction hold and loosen the gathered fabric, requiring the wearer to adjust and reposition the gathered fabric and holding device, or risk having the gathered fabric loosen sufficiently to allow the device to fall off and possibly become lost. Furthermore, in use, major portions of the devicea potential successor could be seen as a sign that Mr. Xi intends to dominate beyond this next five-year term, which ends in 2023, either by staying in office or behind the scenes. He may also want more time to test possible successors, while avoiding lame duck status with an heir waiting in the wings.

In a possible nod to concerns about Mr. Xi amassing too much power, most of the five new Standing Committee members were not longtime associates of his, though all have worked with him in some capacity. Premier Li Keqiang, the only holdover from the outgoing committee besides Mr. Xi, was once seen as a possible rival to lead the country.

Among the new members were Wang Yang, a vice premier who promoted himself as a