🔗 Share this article

Greetings! I can't wait to find out what color will define 2026. What's the scoop?

Get ready, since every year beginning in 1999, Pantone announces a Color of the Year. This selection aims to capture the zeitgeist—influencing everything from our collective sentiment and what we wear to interior styling. Last year's color was the deep beige "a coffee-inspired shade," following the subtly inviting "Peach Fuzz."

The new selection, however, is particularly baffling. It is "a billowy white," labeled as a "billowy, balanced white."

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

Well, Cloud Dancer sounds… wait, white? Is this a prank? Can white truly be considered a real color?

What is the best way to define the shade of milk? A blank page? Although some consider white as a color, all color is at its core a range of visible light. It's present in a set of colored pencils, so for practical purposes the answer is yes.

The question of whether Pantone is out of touch is trickier to figure out. According to their release, Cloud Dancer mixes well with other colors, provides a calm backdrop, declares simplicity, and projects subtle elegance.

Responses from critics, in contrast, has proven more critical. Some commentators have declared Pantone of being completely "Pantonedeaf." Trend analyst Mandy Lee described it as "underwhelming." Others have compared it with subtle advocacy of controversial ideas seen in popular culture.

Right, one would hope they're cheerfully oblivious that the timing is awkward to be explicitly championing pure white... So, how can a regular person who doesn't follow a fashion show apply this trend in my world? My kitchen ceiling is my ceiling with white, does that count?

That definitely qualifies. The same goes for your earbuds, sink, or linen sheets.

It's funny you mention fashion shows, since many collections this year have been bold and fuzzy, featuring naturally dyed fabrics on the runway.

White ensembles were present, like always, in designer collections—from structured tops to collared dresses. Well-known individuals have also been photographed in monochromatic white outfits at major events.

The positive takeaway is: you probably already possess pieces in this "understated" color of the year. According to Pressman, Cloud Dancer "represents a greener option for the environmentally aware," which might translate to avoiding the need to purchase fresh products at all.

SO, a design directive for the truly minimalist. An empty canvas, so to speak. A sanctuary of calming neutrality amid the noise. Okay, I'm on board. Will you be creating a whiteout for your closet?

Not a chance. Do you know how hard it is to get out red wine stains from a white shirt? I'm not seeking more laundry disasters in 2026.

I do own a pair of once-white comfort shoes, and such staples never go out of style.