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Hi there! I'm so eager to find out what color has been chosen for 2026. Tell me everything!

Get ready, because every year beginning in 1999, Pantone announces a Color of the Year. This selection seeks to represent the spirit of the times—shaping everything from our collective sentiment and fashion choices to home decor. Last year's hue was the darker neutral "a coffee-inspired shade," following the gentle and peachy "Peach Fuzz."

The new choice, however, is somewhat unexpected. It is "an airy shade," labeled as a "soft and structural white."

Laurie Pressman, VP of the Pantone Color Institute, commented that it is "an essential foundational hue … permitting all colors to stand out."

Hmm, Cloud Dancer… hold on, just white? Could they be trolling us? Can white truly be considered a real color?

What is the best way to describe the hue of a cloud? Milk? While people often think of white as a color, the entire spectrum is fundamentally a spectrum of light waves. It appears in a box of crayons, so for practical purposes the answer is yes.

The question of whether Pantone is out of touch is more difficult to ascertain. According to their release, Cloud Dancer mixes well with other colors, avoids sensory overload, declares simplicity, and exudes refined calm.

Feedback online, in contrast, has not been as kind. A number of observers have suggested Pantone of being completely "out of touch." Style expert Mandy Lee described it as "a let-down." Others have drawn parallels to subtle advocacy of problematic concepts seen in recent advertising.

I see, it's to be hoped they're happily ignorant that now is a sensitive time to be pointedly celebrating pure white... So, how can a regular person rarely near a fashion show incorporate this news in daily life? My kitchen ceiling is my kitchen ceiling white, does that count?

It absolutely counts. The same goes for your white headphones, bathtub, or ceramic plate.

It's interesting you mention catwalks, since many this season's presentations have been vibrantly colorful, featuring eco-friendly feathers on the runway.

The color white were present, as per usual, in luxury shows—from elegant blouses to sleek suits. High-profile figures have also been photographed in crisp all-white ensembles at public appearances.

The good news is: you probably already own pieces in this "understated" designated shade. As Pressman, Cloud Dancer "signifies a greener option for the environmentally aware," which essentially suggests avoiding the need to purchase new items at all.

AT LAST, a fashion trend for the inherently lazy. A fresh start, in a manner of speaking. A sanctuary of serene simplicity within the clutter. Okay, I'm sold. Are you planning a all-white theme for your wardrobe?

Not a chance. Attempting to get out grass stains from a white shirt? I could do without extra stain-removal drama in 2026.

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