It's put on for service (8)
I believe the answer is:
surplice
'service' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe you can see an association between them that I don't see?
I can't explain the remainder of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for surplice that I've seen before include "Church vestment" , "Loose white ecclesiastical vestment" , "Loose white ecclesiastical garment" , "I scruple to wear priestly garment" , "White vestment worn over a cassock" .)