The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word TINTS
T
I
N
T
S
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "shades" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case shades = tints.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 TINTS mean?
TINTS noun- A slight coloring.
- A pale or faint tinge of any color; especially, a variation of a color obtained by adding white (contrast shade)
- A color considered with reference to other very similar colors.
- A shaded effect in engraving, produced by the juxtaposition of many fine parallel lines.
- To shade, to color.