Hello! I can't wait to find out what color is set to be 2026. Fill me in on the details!
Prepare yourself, since every year for over two decades, Pantone selects a Color of the Year. This choice aims to capture the current cultural mood—influencing everything from our collective sentiment and fashion choices to home decor. 2025's selection was the darker neutral "Mocha Mousse," preceded by the subtly inviting "a fuzzy pastel."
The new selection, however, is particularly baffling. It is "an airy shade," which Pantone calls a "ethereal and neutral white."
Laurie Pressman, VP of the Pantone Color Institute, commented that it is "an essential foundational hue … enabling all colors to be highlighted."
Well, Cloud Dancer sounds… seriously, white? Is this a prank? Does white qualify as a real color?
Can you even describe the color of clouds? Milk? Even though many view white as a color, the entire spectrum is fundamentally a spectrum of light waves. It's present in a set of colored pencils, so I'd argue the answer is yes.
The question of whether Pantone is pulling our leg is trickier to figure out. They claim, Cloud Dancer combines easily with other colors, avoids sensory overload, makes a minimalist statement, and radiates refined calm.
Feedback online, however, has not been as kind. A number of observers have suggested Pantone of being completely "tone-deaf." Trend analyst Mandy Lee described it as "disappointing." Critics have compared it with implied endorsement of controversial ideas seen in popular culture.
I see, it's to be hoped they're blissfully unaware that this isn't the best moment to be pointedly celebrating pure white... Therefore, how can a regular person rarely near a runway incorporate this trend in daily life? I recently coated my ceiling with white, is that enough?
That definitely qualifies. The same goes for your wireless speakers, sink, or linen sheets.
It's interesting you mention runways, as many recent shows have been exceptionally bright, featuring eco-friendly fabrics on the runway.
White ensembles were present, like always, in luxury shows—from simple silk T-shirts to tailored gowns. Celebrities and public figures have also been photographed in monochromatic white attire at public appearances.
The positive takeaway is: you probably already possess items in this "discreet" designated shade. As Pressman, Cloud Dancer "represents a eco-friendlier decision for the eco-conscious," which essentially suggests avoiding the need to purchase fresh products at all.
AT LAST, a design directive for the truly minimalist. An empty canvas, so to speak. A haven of monochromatic zen against the clutter. I'm convinced, I'm sold. Do you intend a monochrome palette for your wardrobe?
Definitely not. Do you know how hard it is to clean grass stains from a white shirt? I could do without extra stain-removal drama in 2026.
I do possess a pair of once-white Birkenstocks, and this classic footwear remain perpetually fashionable.
A seasoned journalist with a passion for uncovering stories that matter in the Czech Republic and beyond.
