Reformed ladies show the highest standards (6)
I believe the answer is:
ideals
'the highest standards' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'reformed ladies' is the wordplay.
'reformed' is an anagram indicator.
'ladies' is an anagram of 'IDEALS'.
'show' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for ideals that I've seen before include "Standards to be aimed at" , "Standards of perfection" , "100%? > 10 out out of 10? > With capital, more would want these" , "Standards to aim for" , "Models; principles" .)