Covered in starch, ideally (3)
I believe the answer is:
hid
'covered' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'in starch ideally' is the wordplay.
'in' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'HID' is hidden within 'starch ideally'.
(Other definitions for hid that I've seen before include "Concealed from sight" , "wanted to be sought?" , "Took cover" , "Kept out of sight" , "Shrouded" .)