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Greetings! I'm incredibly excited to find out what color will define 2026. What's the scoop?

Prepare yourself, because every year beginning in 1999, Pantone selects a defining hue. This choice is a reflection of the spirit of the times—influencing everything from how we feel and what we wear to interior styling. The previous year's selection was the rich tan "a creamy brown," preceded by the soft and warm "a fuzzy pastel."

The new choice, however, is even more puzzling. It is "a billowy white," described by a "soft and structural white."

Laurie Pressman, the vice president 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? Can white truly be considered a real color?

What is the best way to characterize the shade of milk? Fresh snow? Although people often think of white as a color, the entire spectrum is at its core a spectrum of light waves. It appears in a child's crayon box, so I'd argue the answer is yes.

The question of whether Pantone is being provocative is trickier to figure out. The company states, Cloud Dancer pairs effortlessly with other colors, provides a calm backdrop, makes a minimalist statement, and exudes quiet sophistication.

Feedback online, on the other hand, has proven more critical. Several voices have declared Pantone of being completely "tone-deaf." Style expert Mandy Lee labeled it "a let-down." Others have drawn parallels to coded promotion of controversial ideas seen in other media.

I see, hopefully they're happily ignorant that this isn't the best moment to be explicitly championing whiteness... Therefore, how might someone who doesn't follow a catwalk incorporate this trend in daily life? I just painted my ceiling in white paint, does that qualify?

That definitely qualifies. So would your earbuds, sink, or ceramic plate.

It's funny you mention runways, because many collections this year have been exceptionally bright, featuring eco-friendly feathers on the runway.

All-white outfits were present, as always, in high-fashion looks—from simple silk T-shirts to tailored gowns. Celebrities and public figures have also been seen in crisp all-white attire at prestigious shows.

The good news is: you probably already own pieces in this "subtle" chosen hue. According to Pressman, Cloud Dancer "represents a greener option for the eco-conscious," which might translate to skipping the requirement for new items at all.

AT LAST, a design directive for the truly minimalist. A blank page, so to speak. A cocoon of calming neutrality against the noise. Okay, I get it. Will you be creating a all-white theme for your personal style?

Not a chance. Have you ever tried to remove grass stains from a white fabric? I could do without more laundry disasters in 2026.

I do own a pair of formerly pristine comfort shoes, and such staples are always in vogue.