Hoods fit early, even missing stockings (7)
I believe the answer is:
hosiery
'missing stockings' is the definition.
'hosiery' can be an answer for 'stockings' (I've seen this before). I'm unsure of the 'missing' bit.
'hoods fit early even' is the wordplay.
'even' means one should take alternating letters (letters in even-numbered positions are used).
'hoods'+'fit'+'early'='hoodsfitearly'
The alternate letters of 'hoodsfitearly' are 'HOSIERY'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for hosiery that I've seen before include "intimate this?" , "footwear" , "cover for some members" , "Underwear items such as stockings" , "knitwear" .)