🔗 Share this article

Hi there! I can't wait to find out what color is set to be 2026. Tell me everything!

Prepare yourself, as every year since 1999, Pantone chooses a Color of the Year. This pick is a reflection of the zeitgeist—informing everything from how we feel and what we wear to home decor. Last year's selection was the deep beige "a creamy brown," preceded by the subtly inviting "a fuzzy pastel."

This year's announcement, in contrast, is even more puzzling. It is "an airy shade," described by a "soft and structural white."

Laurie Pressman, vice-president of the Pantone Color Institute, stated that it is "a key structural color … permitting all colors to be highlighted."

Interesting, Cloud Dancer… wait, white? Are they joking? Is white even a proper color?

Can you even describe the shade of milk? Milk? Although some consider white as a color, all color is essentially a perception of light wavelengths. It's present in a child's crayon box, so for practical purposes the answer is yes.

Whether Pantone is pulling our leg is trickier to figure out. The company states, Cloud Dancer combines easily with other colors, provides a calm backdrop, embodies understated style, and exudes subtle elegance.

Feedback online, in contrast, has proven more critical. Several voices have accused Pantone of being completely "tone-deaf." Trend analyst Mandy Lee labeled it "a let-down." Some have even drawn parallels to coded promotion of problematic concepts seen in popular culture.

I see, hopefully they're happily ignorant that this isn't the best moment to be explicitly championing pure white... Anyway, how should I not exactly adjacent to a catwalk incorporate this news in my world? My kitchen ceiling is my ceiling with white, is that enough?

That definitely qualifies. The same goes for your wireless speakers, sink, or ceramic plate.

It's funny you mention runways, as many this season's presentations have been vibrantly colorful, featuring eco-friendly feathers on the catwalk.

All-white outfits were present, like always, in designer collections—from elegant blouses to sleek suits. High-profile figures have also been seen in pristine white ensembles at major events.

The good news is: chances are you already have something in this "discreet" chosen hue. According to Pressman, Cloud Dancer "embodies a more sustainable choice for the eco-conscious," which might translate to avoiding the need to purchase anything new at all.

AT LAST, a design directive for the truly minimalist. A blank page, if you will. A cocoon of calming neutrality amid the chaos. Alright, I'm on board. Will you be creating a whiteout for your wardrobe?

Not a chance. Do you know how hard it is to clean grass stains from a white fabric? I'm not seeking more laundry disasters in 2026.

I do own a pair of formerly pristine comfort shoes, and this classic footwear remain perpetually fashionable.