Clothes sturdily made, head to tail (9)
I believe the answer is:
trappings
'clothes' is the definition.
(trappings is a kind of clothes)
I can't explain the rest of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for trappings that I've seen before include "Symbolic accessories of office" , "Ornaments" , "signs of success" , "Regalia of office" , "harness" .)