Some ladies in gingham, doing a number (7)
I believe the answer is:
singing
'a number' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both related to communication as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?
'some ladies in gingham doing' is the wordplay.
'some' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue (some parts of the word are used).
'SINGING' can be found hidden inside 'ladies in gingham doing'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for singing that I've seen before include "Chanting" , "Vocalising musically" , "Functioning as a choir?" .)