Crossword Genius

Outfits with great listeners (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

gears

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

'outfits' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?

'with great listeners' is the wordplay.
'with' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'great' becomes 'g' (this might be a standard abbreviation I've not previously seen).
'listeners' becomes 'ears'.
'g' put next to 'ears' is 'GEARS'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for gears that I've seen before include "Rages (anag.)" , "Sarge (anag.)" .)

I've seen this clue in the Irish Times and the Irish Times (Crosaire).
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