Crossword Genius

Without air at first, heating elements retaining temperature — they don’t provide much coverage (1-7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

g-strings

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'they don't provide much coverage' is the definition.
(type of underwear using little material)

'without air at first heating elements retaining temperature' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'at' could be 'in' (synonymous in some cases - eg at school, in school) and 'in' is found within the answer.
'temperature' could be 't' (abbreviation) and 't' is found in the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

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I've seen this clue in The Times.
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