Small collection of hats hidden away? (5)
I believe the answer is:
stash
'small collection' is the definition.
'stash' can be an answer for 'collection' (I've seen this before). I'm not sure about the 'small' bit.
'hats hidden away?' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
an anagram of 'hats' is 'tash' which is within the answer.
A single letter 's' remains which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This explanation may well be incorrect...
'of' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for stash that I've seen before include "Stow away" , "collection" , "drug store" , "Consignment of drugs" , "Squirrel away" .)