Abhorrent clothing English model held back (9)
I believe the answer is:
hesitated
'held back' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'abhorrent clothing english model' is the wordplay.
'abhorrent' becomes 'hated' (I've seen this in another clue).
'clothing' indicates putting letters inside (some letters cover up or clothe others).
'english' becomes 'E' (abbreviation).
'model' becomes 'sit' (e.g. for a painting).
'e'+'sit'='esit'
'hated' enclosing 'esit' is 'HESITATED'.
(Other definitions for hesitated that I've seen before include "was indecisive" , "Paused, wavered" , "Was not keen" , "Thought twice" , "held back" .)