Commercials about smart fashions (6)

I believe the answer is:

adapts

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'fashions' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'commercials about smart' is the wordplay.
'commercials' becomes 'ads' (advertisements).
'about' indicates putting letters inside.
'smart' becomes 'apt' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'ads' enclosing 'apt' is 'ADAPTS'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for adapts that I've seen before include "Changes to suit a new purpose" , "Makes fit or tailors to another purpose" , "Alters for another use" , "Alters to fit" , "Change to fit new circumstances" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

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