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Hi there! I can't wait to learn what color will define 2026. Fill me in on the details!

Get ready, as every year since 1999, Pantone chooses a signature color. This selection is a reflection of the spirit of the times—informing everything from how we feel and what we wear to how we design our living spaces. Last year's hue was the deep beige "a coffee-inspired shade," preceded by the gentle and peachy "a fuzzy pastel."

The new choice, though, is even more puzzling. It is "a billowy white," labeled as a "billowy, balanced white."

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

Well, Cloud Dancer sounds… seriously, white? Could they be trolling us? Is white even a proper color?

How does one describe the hue of a cloud? A blank page? Even though some consider white as a color, all color is at its core a range of visible light. It's present in a child's crayon box, so I'd argue the answer is yes.

Whether Pantone is being provocative is trickier to figure out. According to their release, Cloud Dancer mixes well with other colors, provides a calm backdrop, declares simplicity, and radiates quiet sophistication.

The public reaction, on the other hand, has proven more critical. Several voices have accused Pantone of being completely "tone-deaf." Fashion and trend forecaster Mandy Lee called it "underwhelming." Some have even drawn parallels to implied endorsement of controversial ideas seen in recent advertising.

I see, hopefully they're cheerfully oblivious that now is a sensitive time to be overly emphasizing pure white... So, how can a regular person who doesn't follow a runway use this news in daily life? I recently coated my kitchen ceiling white, does that qualify?

It absolutely counts. The same goes for your white headphones, bathtub, or favorite mug.

It's funny you mention runways, since many collections this year have been bold and fuzzy, featuring naturally dyed materials on the stage.

The color white were present, like always, in luxury shows—from elegant blouses to tailored gowns. Celebrities and public figures have also been photographed in monochromatic white outfits at prestigious shows.

The good news is: chances are you already possess something in this "understated" designated shade. As Pressman, Cloud Dancer "represents a more sustainable choice for the environmentally aware," which might translate to not having to buy anything new at all.

FINALLY, a style movement for the deeply unmotivated. An empty canvas, in a manner of speaking. A cocoon of serene simplicity against the chaos. I'm convinced, I'm sold. Will you be creating a monochrome palette for your closet?

Definitely not. Attempting to clean red wine stains from a white fabric? I could do without additional cleaning headaches in 2026.

I do have a pair of once-white comfort shoes, and such staples are always in vogue.