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Hello! I can't wait to find out what color is set to be 2026. What's the scoop?

Brace yourself, as every year beginning in 1999, Pantone chooses a defining hue. This choice seeks to represent the zeitgeist—shaping everything from our emotions and our wardrobe selections to home decor. Last year's hue was the rich tan "a creamy brown," which came after the gentle and peachy "a fuzzy pastel."

The new selection, in contrast, is particularly baffling. It is "an airy shade," which Pantone calls a "ethereal and neutral white."

Laurie Pressman, vice-president of the Pantone Color Institute, remarked that it is "a key structural color … allowing all colors to stand out."

Well, Cloud Dancer sounds… seriously, white? Could they be trolling us? Does white qualify as a distinct hue?

What is the best way to define the hue of a cloud? Milk? While many view white as a color, every hue is at its core a perception of light wavelengths. You can find it in a set of colored pencils, so I'd argue the answer is yes.

The question of whether Pantone is being provocative is more difficult to ascertain. According to their release, Cloud Dancer combines easily with other colors, avoids sensory overload, embodies understated style, and exudes quiet sophistication.

Responses from critics, on the other hand, has proven more critical. Some commentators have suggested Pantone of being completely "Pantonedeaf." Fashion and trend forecaster Mandy Lee labeled it "disappointing." Others have compared it with implied endorsement of certain ideologies seen in recent advertising.

I see, one would hope they're blissfully unaware that now is a sensitive time to be explicitly championing whiteness... Anyway, how should I not exactly adjacent to a catwalk incorporate this trend in my world? I recently coated my kitchen ceiling white, does that qualify?

That definitely qualifies. The same goes for your white headphones, tiles, or linen sheets.

The timing is curious you mention fashion shows, because many recent shows have been bold and fuzzy, featuring plant-based materials on the runway.

All-white outfits featured prominently, like always, in designer collections—from structured tops to tailored gowns. High-profile figures have also been seen in monochromatic white ensembles at prestigious shows.

On the bright side is: you likely already possess pieces in this "discreet" designated shade. As Pressman, Cloud Dancer "represents a greener option for the sustainability-minded," which might translate to not having to buy fresh products at all.

SO, a style movement for the inherently lazy. An empty canvas, in a manner of speaking. A haven of calming neutrality amid the chaos. I'm convinced, I'm on board. Do you intend a whiteout for your wardrobe?

Absolutely not. Do you know how hard it is to clean tomato sauce stains from a white fabric? I don't need additional cleaning headaches in 2026.

I do have a pair of now off-white comfort shoes, and this classic footwear are always in vogue.