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Greetings! I can't wait to discover what color has been chosen for 2026. What's the scoop?

Prepare yourself, because every year beginning in 1999, Pantone announces a Color of the Year. This selection seeks to represent the spirit of the times—informing everything from our emotions and our wardrobe selections to how we design our living spaces. The previous year's hue was the deep beige "a creamy brown," following the gentle and peachy "Peach Fuzz."

This year's announcement, though, is particularly baffling. It is "a billowy white," labeled as a "soft and structural white."

Laurie Pressman, the vice president of the Pantone Color Institute, commented that it is "an essential foundational hue … enabling 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 characterize the color of clouds? Milk? Although many view white as a color, every hue is fundamentally a perception of light wavelengths. You can find it in a set of colored pencils, so I'd argue the answer is yes.

If Pantone is being provocative is harder to determine. They claim, Cloud Dancer mixes well with other colors, isn't overstimulating, makes a minimalist statement, and radiates quiet sophistication.

Responses from critics, however, has not been as kind. A number of observers have declared Pantone of being completely "Pantonedeaf." Style expert Mandy Lee called it "disappointing." Critics have likened it to coded promotion of certain ideologies seen in popular culture.

Right, it's to be hoped they're cheerfully oblivious that the timing is awkward to be overly emphasizing pure white... Therefore, how should I who doesn't follow a runway incorporate this trend in daily life? I recently coated my ceiling in white paint, does that qualify?

That definitely qualifies. This applies equally to your white headphones, sink, or ceramic plate.

The timing is curious you mention catwalks, since many this season's presentations have been vibrantly colorful, featuring plant-based feathers on the runway.

All-white outfits featured prominently, like always, in designer collections—from structured tops to collared dresses. Celebrities and public figures have also been spotted in monochromatic white outfits at prestigious shows.

On the bright side is: chances are you already own something in this "understated" designated shade. As Pressman, Cloud Dancer "signifies a eco-friendlier decision for the eco-conscious," which might translate to not having to buy anything new at all.

SO, a design directive for the truly minimalist. An empty canvas, if you will. A sanctuary of calming neutrality within the chaos. Okay, I get it. Are you planning a all-white theme for your closet?

Not a chance. Do you know how hard it is to clean red wine stains from a light garment? I'm not seeking additional cleaning headaches in 2026.

I do have a pair of once-white comfort shoes, and this classic footwear never go out of style.