A model opened the Vivienne Westwood Fall 2013 show wearing a grey and burgundy striped belted coat–with opaque white face makeup and cartoonish black eyebrows. It set the tone for the show, which put a slightly demented twist on the classic English lady’s style.

Actually, the clothes were quite wearable and versatile–but the clownish makeup, which was different for every model, added plenty of theatrical flourish. Some models’ makeup was asymmetrical, with only half of a lip painted or one eyebrow drawn on–which only made them look more unhinged.

But onto the clothes: Westwood’s outerwear, in stripes, subtle tiger print, and later, a shiny black fabric, are some of the most figure-flattering coats I’ve seen so far this season. Blazers, too, in navy, grey, and plaid, perfectly accentuated the waist. And, of course, no one knows how to cut a dress to flatter like Westwood: Each design is folded and draped to subtly shape the body.

As with the past few seasons, Westwood’s show notes also contained a Climate Revolution Charter. Some samples: “Get off the consumer treadmill, don’t suck up;” “Buy less, choose well, make it last (we don’t want the ‘latest thing’ just for the sake of it).”

Certainly Westwood’s Fall 2013 followed those stipulations: It didn’t suck up (no street style bait here) and it wasn’t the ‘latest thing’. It was simply well-made clothes, created to flatter.

Photos: IMAXtree