Crossword Genius

Shock purchasing occasionally free clothing (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

apparel

'clothing' is the definition.
('apparel' can be a synonym of 'clothing')

'shock purchasing occasionally free' is the wordplay.
'shock' becomes 'appal' ('appal' can be a synonym of 'shock'**).
'purchasing' means one lot of letters goes inside another (some letters take possession of others).
'occasionally' indicates alternate letters.
The alternate letters of 'free' are 're'.
'appal' placed around 're' is 'APPAREL'.

(Other definitions for apparel that I've seen before include "kit" , "Clothing, things to wear" , "Attire" , "it's generally put on!" , "Real pap (anag) - clothing" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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