Crossword Genius

Smart clothes also showing status (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

standing

'status' is the definition.
(standing is a kind of status)

'smart clothes also' is the wordplay.
'smart' becomes 'sting' (stinging is a kind of smarting**).
'clothes' is an insertion indicator.
'also' becomes 'and' (I've seen this before).
'sting' enclosing 'and' is 'STANDING'.

'showing' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for standing that I've seen before include "(Of corn) not yet reaped" , "type of committee" , "Upright" , "Being a candidate - status" , "Position or reputation" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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