Crossword Genius

Prison guards in fighting gear (10)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

wardresses

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

'prison guards' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?

'in fighting gear' is the wordplay.
'in' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'fighting' becomes 'wares' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'gear' becomes 'dress' (both can mean clothing).
'wares' placed around 'dress' is 'WARDRESSES'.

Can you help me to learn more?

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