Belts have moved up from the hip and are now on the waist.  These belts are waist cinching almost like waspies and help create the handspan look.  As an area of interest, the belts are statement pieces too.  Belts often seem to be one deep belt overlaid with another buckled and fastened belt.

Satin ribbon bows will emphasise waists and will appear on dresses, jackets and knitwear as cardigan belts or as jacket trims.  Vibrant contrasting colour belts in zingy fruit colours can add a new interest to practical beiges and taupe coats.

Shiny belts in patent capture the mood.  Waists are high making it the new erogenous zone.  Whereas in previous seasons highlighting the waist was dropped in favour of the pelvic line, now women have become more used to the idea of waist importance again.

Fitted jackets teamed with fitted pencil skirts or fuller skirts reinforce the ladylike feminine 1950s feel.

Handbag hardware and styling appears to have moved onto belts.  Wide belts with deep cuffs or made of one belt on top of another

Think of a bygone era – can you recall old films like Elizabeth Taylor in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof or in Butterfield 8.  In these films she wears beautifully cut lace slips which cover her totally, yet reveal enough to make her doubly alluring as a woman.  A new generation is about to discover the slip which will be major trend this summer especially as the dress returns.  The film King Kong shows its female lead spending much of her time half dressed in an attractive lace trimmed silk slip just like your great aunt may have worn.

A slip is an excellent under foundation base for dresses and fairly diaphanous top layers such as organdie blouses and semi sheer dresses.  It is a much better foundation for a dress than a separate camisole and separate half slip or waist petticoat that may ride up.

A crochet dress is almost impossible to wear with decency without a good slip.  Without a slip it may be fine for clubbing, but no one in their right mind would consider wearing a crochet dress to the office without a slip.  But with an underslip it is an acceptable item of non clubbing clothing.