Crossword Genius

Average cost of what's fashionable? (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

moderate

'what's fashionable?' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'average cost' is the wordplay.
'average' becomes 'mode' (mode is a kind of average).
'cost' becomes 'rate' (rate is a kind of cost).
'mode'+'rate'='MODERATE'

'of' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for moderate that I've seen before include "Within reasonable or average limits" , "kept within bounds" , "Not extreme - not very good" , "Average in amount" , "Average, middle rate" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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