Disliking old hat of rubber (8)
I believe the answer is:
contrite
'rubber' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are adjectives. Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'disliking old hat' is the wordplay.
'disliking' becomes 'con' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'old hat' becomes 'trite' (I've seen this in another clue).
'con'+'trite'='CONTRITE'
'of' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for contrite that I've seen before include "Repentant, remorseful" , "Repentant and chastened" , "Feeling remorse" , "Penitent, feeling guilty" , "Repentant about nice trot" .)