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Hello! I'm incredibly excited to discover what color will define 2026. Fill me in on the details!

Prepare yourself, as every year for over two decades, Pantone selects a Color of the Year. This selection is a reflection of the spirit of the times—shaping everything from our emotions and our wardrobe selections to how we design our living spaces. Last year's color was the deep beige "a coffee-inspired shade," following the gentle and peachy "a delicate peach tone."

The latest announcement, however, is even more puzzling. It is "Cloud Dancer," which Pantone calls a "soft and structural 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… wait, white? Is this a prank? Is white even a distinct hue?

Can you even define the shade of milk? A blank page? Although some consider white as a color, every hue is fundamentally a perception of light wavelengths. You can find it in a box of crayons, so in everyday terms the answer is yes.

If Pantone is being provocative is harder to determine. They claim, Cloud Dancer pairs effortlessly with other colors, isn't overstimulating, declares simplicity, and radiates subtle elegance.

The public reaction, in contrast, has proven more critical. Several voices have suggested Pantone of being completely "tone-deaf." Style expert Mandy Lee described it as "a let-down." Others have compared it with coded promotion of certain ideologies seen in recent advertising.

Right, it's to be hoped they're cheerfully oblivious that now is a sensitive time to be overly emphasizing the color white... Therefore, how might someone rarely near a fashion show apply this information in everyday routine? I recently coated my kitchen ceiling white, does that qualify?

That definitely qualifies. This applies equally to your wireless speakers, tiles, or ceramic plate.

It's funny you mention fashion shows, since many recent shows have been vibrantly colorful, featuring naturally dyed materials on the catwalk.

All-white outfits made appearances, like always, in luxury shows—from structured tops to collared dresses. Celebrities and public figures have also been seen in pristine white outfits at public appearances.

The good news is: you likely already own pieces in this "discreet" chosen hue. According to Pressman, Cloud Dancer "represents a eco-friendlier decision for the environmentally aware," which might translate to skipping the requirement for anything new at all.

SO, a style movement for the deeply unmotivated. An empty canvas, so to speak. A haven of serene simplicity amid the chaos. Okay, I get it. Do you intend a whiteout for your personal style?

Absolutely not. Attempting to get out grass stains from a white fabric? I could do without more laundry disasters in 2026.

I do have a pair of once-white Birkenstocks, and those are always in vogue.