The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word WAISTBAND
W
A
I
S
T
B
A
N
D
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Dress to some extent" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case dress to some extent = waistband.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does WAISTBAND mean?
WAISTBAND noun- A band of fabric encircling the waist, especially a part of a pair of pants or a skirt.