Delicate edges in finer imperial livery (6)

I believe the answer is:

frilly

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'livery' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are adjectives. Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'delicate edges in finer imperial' is the wordplay.
'delicate' becomes 'frail' (synonyms).
'edges' says to hollow out the word (remove centre letters) (I've seen 'edging' mean this (edging means the letters on the edges)).
'in finer imperial' becomes 'ly' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'frail' with its middle removed is 'fril'.
'fril'+'ly'='FRILLY'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for frilly that I've seen before include "Having flounces, ruffles, etc" , "ruffled" , "Fancy" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.

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