It's unconventional to mix gins in a great hat (7,3,5)

I believe the answer is:

against the grain

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'it's unconventional' is the definition.
I know nothing about this answer so I cannot tell whether this works.

'mix gins in a great hat' is the wordplay.
'mix' indicates an anagram.
'gins'+'in'+'a'+'great'+'hat'='ginsinagreathat'
'ginsinagreathat' is an anagram of 'AGAINST THE GRAIN'.

'to' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for against the grain that I've seen before include "contrary to one's inclination?" , "Following the difficult route" , "Unnatural" , "like GM protesters?" , "Out of character" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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