🔗 Share this article

Hello! I'm so eager to find out what color will define 2026. Tell me everything!

Prepare yourself, as every year beginning in 1999, Pantone chooses a Color of the Year. This choice is a reflection of the spirit of the times—influencing everything from our emotions and fashion choices to interior styling. Last year's selection was the rich tan "a creamy brown," following the subtly inviting "a delicate peach tone."

The new selection, though, is even more puzzling. It is "Cloud Dancer," which Pantone calls a "soft and structural white."

Laurie Pressman, the vice president of the Pantone Color Institute, remarked that it is "a pivotal neutral tone … allowing all colors to shine."

Interesting, Cloud Dancer… hold on, just white? Is this a prank? Does white qualify as a distinct hue?

Can you even describe the hue of a cloud? A blank page? While some consider white as a color, every hue is at its core a range of visible light. You can find it in a set of colored pencils, so in everyday terms the answer is yes.

If Pantone is out of touch is trickier to figure out. According to their release, Cloud Dancer mixes well with other colors, avoids sensory overload, declares simplicity, and exudes quiet sophistication.

Feedback online, on the other hand, has not been as kind. Several voices have accused Pantone of being completely "out of touch." Fashion and trend forecaster Mandy Lee called it "disappointing." Some have even compared it with subtle advocacy of certain ideologies seen in popular culture.

Right, hopefully they're blissfully unaware that the timing is awkward to be overly emphasizing the color white... Anyway, how might someone rarely near a fashion show incorporate this information in daily life? My kitchen ceiling is my kitchen ceiling white, is that enough?

Yes, that certainly counts. So would your white headphones, bathtub, or favorite mug.

It's interesting you mention fashion shows, because many collections this year have been exceptionally bright, featuring naturally dyed fabrics on the catwalk.

White ensembles were present, as per usual, in luxury shows—from elegant blouses to tailored gowns. Well-known individuals have also been spotted in pristine white attire at public appearances.

The good news is: chances are you already own pieces in this "understated" chosen hue. In the words of Pressman, Cloud Dancer "represents a eco-friendlier decision for the environmentally aware," which might translate to skipping the requirement for fresh products at all.

FINALLY, a fashion trend for the deeply unmotivated. A fresh start, so to speak. A haven of monochromatic zen within the clutter. I'm convinced, I get it. Will you be creating a all-white theme for your wardrobe?

Definitely not. Have you ever tried to clean grass stains from a light garment? I could do without extra stain-removal drama in 2026.

I do possess a pair of formerly pristine sandals, and those are always in vogue.