Cryptic crossword clue
Work with non-smoker making academic gear 5

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word GOWNS

I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
G
O
W
N
S

Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "academic gear" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case academic gear = gowns.
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 GOWNS mean?

GOWNS noun
  1. A loose, flowing upper garment.
  2. A woman's ordinary outer dress, such as a calico or silk gown.
  3. The official robe of certain professional men and scholars, such as university students and officers, barristers, judges, etc.
  4. (by metonymy) The university community.
  5. A loose wrapper worn by gentlemen within doors; a dressing gown.
  6. Any sort of dress or garb.
  7. The robe worn by a surgeon.
GOWNS verb
  1. To dress in a gown, to don or garb with a gown.

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