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Hello! I'm incredibly excited to learn what color is set to be 2026. What's the scoop?

Get ready, because every year for over two decades, Pantone chooses a signature color. This pick is a reflection of the zeitgeist—shaping everything from our collective sentiment and our wardrobe selections to interior styling. The previous year's selection was the darker neutral "a creamy brown," following the soft and warm "Peach Fuzz."

This year's choice, however, is even more puzzling. It is "an airy shade," labeled as a "ethereal and neutral white."

Laurie Pressman, VP of the Pantone Color Institute, stated that it is "a key structural color … enabling all colors to shine."

Hmm, Cloud Dancer… seriously, white? Could they be trolling us? Does white qualify as a real color?

What is the best way to describe the color of clouds? A blank page? While some consider white as a color, the entire spectrum is essentially a perception of light wavelengths. It appears in a set of colored pencils, so for practical purposes the answer is yes.

The question of whether Pantone is out of touch is more difficult to ascertain. The company states, Cloud Dancer pairs effortlessly with other colors, isn't overstimulating, declares simplicity, and projects refined calm.

The public reaction, however, has been less complimentary. Some commentators have accused Pantone of being completely "out of touch." Fashion and trend forecaster Mandy Lee called it "a let-down." Others have compared it with coded promotion of problematic concepts seen in popular culture.

Okay, hopefully they're blissfully unaware that the timing is awkward to be overly emphasizing pure white... Therefore, how might someone not exactly adjacent to a catwalk apply this trend in everyday routine? My kitchen ceiling is my ceiling in white paint, does that count?

Yes, that certainly counts. This applies equally to your wireless speakers, bathtub, or linen sheets.

The timing is curious you mention runways, because many collections this year have been vibrantly colorful, featuring eco-friendly feathers on the catwalk.

The color white featured prominently, like always, in designer collections—from elegant blouses to tailored gowns. High-profile figures have also been photographed in monochromatic white ensembles at prestigious shows.

The good news is: you likely already have items in this "discreet" chosen hue. As Pressman, Cloud Dancer "represents a more sustainable choice for the environmentally aware," which could mean skipping the requirement for anything new at all.

AT LAST, a fashion trend for the truly minimalist. A fresh start, in a manner of speaking. A cocoon of calming neutrality against the noise. I'm convinced, I get it. Are you planning a monochrome palette for your wardrobe?

Not a chance. Attempting to clean tomato sauce stains from a light garment? I'm not seeking extra stain-removal drama in 2026.

I do own a pair of now off-white comfort shoes, and this classic footwear remain perpetually fashionable.