Du Maurier's hat had character! (6)

I believe the answer is:

trilby

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'character' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't understand how one could define the other.

I don't understand the rest of the clue.

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(Other definitions for trilby that I've seen before include "The singer under the control of the hypnotist Svengali" , "Soft hat with indented crown" , "Style of hat" , "Hat - George du Maurier heroine" , "kind of headgear" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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