today i love... my sheer white shirt

I've been searching for the perfect white shirt for a good few months now. Ever since it emerged just how much influence the Céline AW'10 show would have on this season's fashion, it has become one of the hero pieces of the moment, up there with the aviator jacket, the camel coat, the midi skirt and the understated ladylike bag (and Céline's creative director, Phoebe Philo, had a hand in most of those, too). But unlike the aviator or the midi, the white shirt isn't exactly a novel concept, and hasn't ever really been out of fashion, per se. Most of us probably have a couple of variations of it hanging out at the backs of our wardrobes. But it's never been a trophy item; it's not showy or extravagant. Which is probably why, despite the fact that we've never looked at a white shirt and been appalled by its outdatedness, we haven't been reaching for one for a good few seasons either, because up until recently, fashion was all about extravagance.

But, thanks largely to Philo, simple is the new showy. Lashings of sequins and huge exaggerated shoulders have been replaced by classic tailoring, understated colours and a lack of accessories. We have in many ways gone back to basics. And what could be more basic than the unassuming white shirt? Except, of course, that digging out that badly cut M&S polyester one leftover from your school days just isn't going to cut it. What you really want is a nice new one. And while some looks certainly require a shirt that's a little stiff and polished, I think a soft, sheer, silky one is far more versatile, and infinitely more sophisticated.

My first port of call when searching for such a specimen was the ridiculously chic label Equipment, a label that sells purely shirts and blouses (the jury's out on the difference between the two), cut in luxurious silk and available in a range of beautiful understated colours. It's even owned by Christian Restoin, husband of French Vogue's editrix Carine Roitfeld: talk about impeccable fashion credentials. Sadly, however, it's a wee bit out of my price range, with each shirt setting you back approximately £180. I decided, therefore, to look a bit closer to home, and where better than my beloved Topshop? It took them a little longer than I would have liked to produce a similar offering, but at last I chanced upon the Gold Button Military Shirt, £32 (pictured below).

This beauty was just what I had been looking for. Firstly, it's divinely silky and sheer but still machine washable: winner. Secondly, I can never resist a gold button, and this has them in abundance. I even worried, judging by the picture, that they may have overdone the gold buttons, but this, I can assure you, is not the case on the person. It is also the perfect length and a perfectly manageable price. I've already worn it casually with skinny jeans, shearling-lined boots and dark tartan coat (see Today I'm Wearing for 13th Oct), but am also envisaging it tucked into high-waisted grey tailored trousers for a smarter look, or paired with little shorts and sans vest underneath for evening. If you want to look really Céline, tuck it into a leather pencil skirt and team with some mid-heel courts, slick back your hair and go without accessories. Perfect understated chic, and proof that basics definitely do not need to be boring.