Short garments — test out the cloth (8)
I believe the answer is:
ministry
'the cloth' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'short garments test out' is the wordplay.
'short garments' becomes 'minis' (mini skirts).
'test out' becomes 'try'.
'minis'+'try'='MINISTRY'
(Other definitions for ministry that I've seen before include "service" , "a cleric has entered" , "Priesthood" , "members of the clergy" , "Government building" .)