🔗 Share this article

Hi there! I can't wait to learn what color will define 2026. Tell me everything!

Brace yourself, because every year for over two decades, Pantone selects a Color of the Year. This selection seeks to represent the zeitgeist—influencing everything from our collective sentiment and what we wear to how we design our living spaces. Last year's color was the deep beige "a coffee-inspired shade," which came after the soft and warm "Peach Fuzz."

The latest announcement, however, is even more puzzling. It is "a billowy white," labeled as a "billowy, balanced white."

Laurie Pressman, VP of the Pantone Color Institute, remarked that it is "an essential foundational hue … allowing all colors to be highlighted."

Interesting, Cloud Dancer… seriously, white? Could they be trolling us? Does white qualify as a real color?

How does one describe the color of clouds? Fresh snow? While some consider white as a color, every hue is essentially a range of visible light. It's present in a set of colored pencils, so I'd argue the answer is yes.

If Pantone is pulling our leg is more difficult to ascertain. According to their release, Cloud Dancer pairs effortlessly with other colors, avoids sensory overload, declares simplicity, and projects subtle elegance.

Responses from critics, on the other hand, has proven more critical. A number of observers have accused Pantone of being completely "tone-deaf." Fashion and trend forecaster Mandy Lee described it as "a let-down." Some have even compared it with implied endorsement of problematic concepts seen in popular culture.

Okay, one would hope they're happily ignorant that now is a sensitive time to be overly emphasizing the color white... Therefore, how should I who doesn't follow a fashion show use this trend in daily life? I just painted my kitchen ceiling white, does that count?

It absolutely counts. This applies equally to your white headphones, sink, or favorite mug.

The timing is curious you mention catwalks, because many collections this year have been exceptionally bright, featuring plant-based feathers on the runway.

The color white were present, as per usual, in luxury shows—from elegant blouses to tailored gowns. Celebrities and public figures have also been seen in crisp all-white attire at prestigious shows.

On the bright side is: chances are you already possess items in this "understated" chosen hue. As Pressman, Cloud Dancer "represents a greener option for the environmentally aware," which might translate to not having to buy new items at all.

FINALLY, a fashion trend for the inherently lazy. A fresh start, so to speak. A sanctuary of monochromatic zen within the noise. Alright, I'm on board. Are you planning a whiteout for your personal style?

Definitely not. Do you know how hard it is to remove grass stains from a white shirt? I'm not seeking extra stain-removal drama in 2026.

I do own a pair of once-white comfort shoes, and this classic footwear remain perpetually fashionable.