A mixture of substances decorate frock suitable for semi-formal occasions (8,5)
![Ross](/clue/static/ross-mug.min.png)
I believe the answer is:
cocktail dress
'decorate frock suitable for semi-formal occasions' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.
'a mixture of substances' is the wordplay.
'a mixture' becomes 'cocktail'.
'of substances' becomes 'dress' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'cocktail'+'dress'='COCKTAIL DRESS'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for cocktail dress that I've seen before include "Black tie for ladies?" , "semi-formal wear" .)