Red gown or shift for malefactor (9)
I believe the answer is:
wrongdoer
'malefactor' is the definition.
(thesaurus)
'red gown or shift' is the wordplay.
'shift' is an anagram indicator.
'red'+'gown'+'or'='redgownor'
'redgownor' with letters rearranged gives 'WRONGDOER'.
'for' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for wrongdoer that I've seen before include "Trespasser" , "Drown ogre, being a bad chap (9)" , "Person who acts immorally or illegally" , "Dishonest or criminal person" , "Transgressor" .)