Small article about lads’ footwear (7)
I believe the answer is:
sandals
'footwear' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'small article about lads'' is the wordplay.
'small' becomes 's' (abbreviation - e.g. clothes size).
'article' becomes 'an' (indefinite article).
'about' indicates anagramming the letters.
'lads' with letters rearranged gives 'dals'.
's'+'an'+'dals'='SANDALS'
(Other definitions for sandals that I've seen before include "Open footwear" , "Soles strapped to the feet" , "Light open shoes" .)