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Greetings! I'm incredibly excited to discover what color is set to be 2026. What's the scoop?

Get ready, because every year since 1999, Pantone selects a Color of the Year. This selection is a reflection of the current cultural mood—shaping everything from our collective sentiment and what we wear to home decor. Last year's color was the deep beige "a creamy brown," following the gentle and peachy "Peach Fuzz."

This year's selection, in contrast, is particularly baffling. It is "a billowy white," labeled as a "soft and structural white."

Laurie Pressman, vice-president of the Pantone Color Institute, stated that it is "an essential foundational hue … enabling all colors to be highlighted."

Hmm, Cloud Dancer… seriously, white? Could they be trolling us? Can white truly be considered a real color?

How does one characterize the hue of a cloud? A blank page? Although people often think of white as a color, all color is at its core a spectrum of light waves. It appears in a box of crayons, so I'd argue the answer is yes.

The question of whether Pantone is out of touch is trickier to figure out. They claim, Cloud Dancer pairs effortlessly with other colors, avoids sensory overload, declares simplicity, and radiates refined calm.

Responses from critics, on the other hand, has not been as kind. A number of observers have declared Pantone of being completely "tone-deaf." Trend analyst Mandy Lee described it as "a let-down." Critics have compared it with coded promotion of certain ideologies seen in recent advertising.

Right, hopefully they're cheerfully oblivious that the timing is awkward to be explicitly championing the color white... Anyway, how might someone rarely near a fashion show apply this trend in my world? I recently coated my ceiling with white, is that enough?

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

The timing is curious you mention catwalks, since many this season's presentations have been vibrantly colorful, featuring naturally dyed feathers on the catwalk.

White ensembles featured prominently, like always, in luxury shows—from elegant blouses to tailored gowns. High-profile figures have also been seen in crisp all-white ensembles at prestigious shows.

The good news is: you likely already have items in this "understated" color of the year. According to Pressman, Cloud Dancer "signifies a greener option for the environmentally aware," which could mean avoiding the need to purchase fresh products at all.

AT LAST, a style movement for the truly minimalist. An empty canvas, so to speak. A cocoon of monochromatic zen against the noise. Alright, I'm sold. Are you planning a monochrome palette for your personal style?

Absolutely not. Do you know how hard it is to get out grass stains from a white shirt? I could do without additional cleaning headaches in 2026.

I do have a pair of formerly pristine Birkenstocks, and those never go out of style.