Chinese lanterns showing style (4)
I believe the answer is:
elan
'style' is the definition.
(I know that style can be written as elan)
'chinese lanterns showing' is the wordplay.
'showing' says the answer is hidden in the clue (the answer is shown in the clue).
'ELAN' is hidden in the letters of 'chinese lanterns'.
(Other definitions for elan that I've seen before include "Dash in France" , "Flamboyance" , "Vivacity, panache" , "French vivacity" , "French verve" .)