Shiny fabric (4)
I believe the answer is:
lame
'shiny fabric' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for lame that I've seen before include "Fabric interwoven with metal threads" , "Of excuse, weak and unconvincing" , "Walking with a limp" , "Weak kind of excuse for halting walk" , "Crippled" .)