Crossword Genius

Government department seconds fashion-conscious youths (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

mods

'fashion-conscious youths' is the definition.
(members of the mod subculture)

'government department seconds' is the wordplay.
'government department' becomes 'mod' (Ministry of Defence).
'seconds' becomes 's'.
'mod'+'s'='MODS'

(Other definitions for mods that I've seen before include ". . . . and rockers, youth subcultures in the 1960s" , "1960s' youth subculture involving motor scooters" , "Highland festivals; Oxford exams" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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