Bands associated with stars (7)
I believe the answer is:
stripes
'bands' is the definition.
('stripe' can be a synonym of 'band')
I don't understand the rest of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for stripes that I've seen before include "Persist (anag)" , "Bands or lines" , "Long bands of colour" , "As standard feature" , "punishment" .)