Cotton fabric in sexy detective's clothing (5)
I believe the answer is:
dhoti
'cotton fabric' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps there's a link between them I don't understand?
'sexy detective's clothing' is the wordplay.
'sexy' becomes 'hot' (similar in meaning).
'detective' becomes 'di' (Detective Inspector abbreviation).
'clothing' is an insertion indicator (some letters cover up or clothe others).
'hot' going within 'di' is 'DHOTI'.
'in' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for dhoti that I've seen before include "Lean over; end of loaf" , "Hindu loincloth" , "Indian attire" , "Skimpy item of clothing" , "article of clothing" .)