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Hello! I can't wait to discover what color has been chosen for 2026. What's the scoop?

Get ready, since every year for over two decades, Pantone announces a defining hue. This pick aims to capture the spirit of the times—informing everything from our emotions and what we wear to how we design our living spaces. 2025's selection was the darker neutral "a coffee-inspired shade," which came after the subtly inviting "a fuzzy pastel."

This year's announcement, however, is even more puzzling. It is "a billowy white," labeled as a "soft and structural white."

Laurie Pressman, the vice president of the Pantone Color Institute, commented that it is "a pivotal neutral tone … enabling all colors to be highlighted."

Hmm, Cloud Dancer… seriously, white? Is this a prank? Does white qualify as a real color?

What is the best way to define the color of clouds? Milk? While many view white as a color, the entire spectrum is essentially a spectrum of light waves. It appears in a set of colored pencils, so in everyday terms the answer is yes.

The question of whether Pantone is being provocative is harder to determine. According to their release, Cloud Dancer combines easily with other colors, isn't overstimulating, embodies understated style, and projects refined calm.

The public reaction, however, has been less complimentary. A number of observers have suggested Pantone of being completely "out of touch." Style expert Mandy Lee called it "a let-down." Critics have likened it to coded promotion of certain ideologies seen in other media.

Right, it's to be hoped they're blissfully unaware that this isn't the best moment to be explicitly championing whiteness... So, how might someone rarely near a catwalk incorporate this news in everyday routine? I just painted my ceiling with white, does that count?

Yes, that certainly counts. So would your earbuds, bathtub, or ceramic plate.

It's interesting you mention fashion shows, because many collections this year have been exceptionally bright, featuring naturally dyed materials on the stage.

White ensembles made appearances, like always, in designer collections—from simple silk T-shirts to tailored gowns. Celebrities and public figures have also been photographed in pristine white outfits at public appearances.

The positive takeaway is: you likely already have something in this "understated" designated shade. In the words of Pressman, Cloud Dancer "embodies a greener option for the sustainability-minded," which might translate to avoiding the need to purchase anything new at all.

AT LAST, a design directive for the truly minimalist. A fresh start, in a manner of speaking. A haven of serene simplicity amid the noise. I'm convinced, I get it. Do you intend a all-white theme for your closet?

Definitely not. Do you know how hard it is to clean grass stains from a light garment? I'm not seeking more laundry disasters in 2026.

I do possess a pair of formerly pristine sandals, and such staples never go out of style.