Crossword Genius

Old US singer wearing graduation clothes? (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

robeson

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'old us singer' is the definition.
(US singer Paul Robeson)

'wearing graduation clothes?' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'clothes?' could be 'robes' (robing is a kind of clothing) and 'robes' is present in the answer.
The remaining letters 'on' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for robeson that I've seen before include "Paul ......., great American bass singer and actor (" , "Paul -. US bass singer and actor" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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