The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word HABIT
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
H
A
B
I
T
More clues leading to the result HABIT
- Usual practice of a bishop wearing belt
- Hotel with quite special uniform?
- Custom somewhat hard at first
- Practice somewhat beneath him at first
- Cover for nun may be established custom
- Some pious types get into this addiction
- Jack in Blockbuster for Dynasty, that’s becoming addictive
- Wag’s partner has Italian dress
- Some addicts kick this rather hard at first
- Addiction to gear
Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "dress" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case dress = habit.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 HABIT mean?
HABIT noun- An action performed on a regular basis.
- An action performed repeatedly and automatically, usually without awareness.
- A long piece of clothing worn by monks and nuns.
- A piece of clothing worn uniformly for a specific activity.
- Outward appearance; attire; dress.
- Form of growth or general appearance of a variety or species of plant or crystal.
- An addiction.
- To clothe.
- To inhabit.