Starts briefly ironing knickers if needed - it's a skimpy outfit (6)
I believe the answer is:
bikini
'outfit' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'starts briefly ironing knickers if needed it's a skimpy' is the wordplay.
'starts' suggests taking the first letters.
'a skimpy' means to remove the last letter (the word is shorter or skimpier than normal).
The initial letters of 'briefly ironing knickers if needed' is 'bikin'.
'it' with its final letter removed is 'i'.
'bikin'+'i'='BIKINI'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for bikini that I've seen before include "revealing clothing" , "two-piece outfit" , "Pacific atoll, used for US nuclear weapons tests" , "practised here with explosive results" , "Women's tiny bathing costume" .)