Crossword Genius

A short waistcoat intended to serve as a robe (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

vestment

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'robe' is the definition.
(I know that vestment is a type of robe)

'a short waistcoat intended to serve as a' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'waistcoat' could be 'vest' (synonyms) and 'vest' is found in the answer.
The remaining letters 'ment' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for vestment that I've seen before include "Priestly garment" , "Religious garment" , "A minister assumes this" , "Clerical robe" , "What clergyman puts on" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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