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It secures a superior item for ladies (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

hatpin

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'it secures a superior' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

'item for ladies' is the wordplay.
'item' becomes 'hat' (I have seen 'Item of headgear ' mean 'hat' so perhaps 'item' could also mean 'hat').
'for ladies' becomes 'pin' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'hat'+'pin'='HATPIN'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for hatpin that I've seen before include "Headgear fixer" , "Fastener for millinery" , "Bonnet fixer" , "Fastener for headgear" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail and The Guardian.
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