Cat has dance gear that's soft rather than tight to start with (7)

I believe the answer is:

leopard

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'cat' is the definition.
(I know that leopard is a type of cat)

I can't explain the rest of the clue.

(Other definitions for leopard that I've seen before include "Spotted big cat" , "Powerful cat" , "Spotted animal" , "Spotted feline" , "Large spotted cat" .)

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

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