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Hi there! I can't wait to find out what color will define 2026. What's the scoop?

Get ready, as every year beginning in 1999, Pantone chooses a signature color. This pick seeks to represent the spirit of the times—shaping everything from how we feel and our wardrobe selections to how we design our living spaces. 2025's selection was the rich tan "a creamy brown," preceded by the gentle and peachy "Peach Fuzz."

The new choice, though, is particularly baffling. It is "an airy shade," which Pantone calls a "billowy, balanced white."

Laurie Pressman, vice-president of the Pantone Color Institute, commented that it is "an essential foundational hue … enabling all colors to be highlighted."

Hmm, Cloud Dancer… hold on, just white? Is this a prank? Is white even a distinct hue?

How does one characterize the hue of a cloud? A blank page? Although many view white as a color, the entire spectrum is essentially a perception of light wavelengths. It's present in a box of crayons, so for practical purposes the answer is yes.

If Pantone is being provocative is trickier to figure out. The company states, Cloud Dancer combines easily with other colors, avoids sensory overload, embodies understated style, and exudes subtle elegance.

The public reaction, in contrast, has not been as kind. Several voices have suggested Pantone of being completely "tone-deaf." Fashion and trend forecaster Mandy Lee described it as "underwhelming." Critics have drawn parallels to implied endorsement of certain ideologies seen in popular culture.

Right, one would hope they're cheerfully oblivious that now is a sensitive time to be overly emphasizing pure white... Therefore, how should I who doesn't follow a fashion show use this information in everyday routine? My kitchen ceiling is my kitchen ceiling white, does that count?

It absolutely counts. The same goes for your earbuds, sink, or ceramic plate.

It's funny you mention fashion shows, since many this season's presentations have been bold and fuzzy, featuring naturally dyed materials on the runway.

The color white were present, as per usual, in luxury shows—from elegant blouses to collared dresses. Celebrities and public figures have also been seen in monochromatic white attire at major events.

The positive takeaway is: you likely already possess pieces in this "subtle" designated shade. In the words of Pressman, Cloud Dancer "represents a eco-friendlier decision for the eco-conscious," which essentially suggests not having to buy fresh products at all.

AT LAST, a fashion trend for the deeply unmotivated. A fresh start, so to speak. A sanctuary of monochromatic zen amid the noise. Okay, I'm sold. Will you be creating a all-white theme for your personal style?

Absolutely not. Have you ever tried to clean grass stains from a white fabric? I could do without extra stain-removal drama in 2026.

I do own a pair of formerly pristine sandals, and those remain perpetually fashionable.