Tipped beret suavely, but still comes across looking severe (7)

I believe the answer is:

austere

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'severe' is the definition.
(I know that severe can be written as austere)

'tipped beret suavely but still comes across looking' is the wordplay.
'AUSTERE' is hidden backwards within the letters.
But, I'm not sure how this is indicated.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for austere that I've seen before include "Grim - USA tree (anag)" , "Without luxury or ornament" , "Lacking comforts; strict" , "Spartan and abstemious" , "Grim -- a US tree (anag)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.

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