Crossword Genius

It's best to appear in public well-dressed (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

outsmart

'it's best' is the definition.
(outsmarting is a kind of besting)

'public well-dressed' is the wordplay.
'public' becomes 'out' (out can mean released to the public).
'well dressed' becomes 'smart' (I've seen this before).
'out'+'smart'='OUTSMART'

'to appear in' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for outsmart that I've seen before include "Outwit" , "Fox; deceive" , "Outmanoeuvre cleverly" , "Cunningly get the better of" , "Defeat by skillful maneuvering" .)

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