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Greetings! I can't wait to discover what color will define 2026. What's the scoop?

Get ready, because every year for over two decades, Pantone selects a signature color. This pick aims to capture the spirit of the times—shaping everything from our collective sentiment and what we wear to how we design our living spaces. Last year's color was the deep beige "Mocha Mousse," which came after the soft and warm "Peach Fuzz."

This year's selection, though, is even more puzzling. It is "an airy shade," described by a "ethereal and neutral white."

Laurie Pressman, vice-president of the Pantone Color Institute, remarked that it is "a pivotal neutral tone … allowing all colors to shine."

Well, Cloud Dancer sounds… wait, white? Are they joking? Does white qualify as a distinct hue?

How does one characterize the hue of a cloud? A blank page? Even though some consider white as a color, all color is at its core a range of visible light. It appears in a box of crayons, so I'd argue 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, avoids sensory overload, makes a minimalist statement, and exudes refined calm.

Responses from critics, on the other hand, has proven more critical. Several voices have suggested Pantone of being completely "out of touch." Fashion and trend forecaster Mandy Lee labeled it "a let-down." Some have even likened it to implied endorsement of certain ideologies seen in popular culture.

Right, hopefully they're happily ignorant that the timing is awkward to be pointedly celebrating whiteness... So, how can a regular person who doesn't follow a fashion show use this news in everyday routine? I recently coated my ceiling in white paint, does that qualify?

It absolutely counts. The same goes for your white headphones, bathtub, or linen sheets.

It's interesting you mention runways, since many this season's presentations have been vibrantly colorful, featuring eco-friendly materials on the catwalk.

White ensembles were present, as per usual, in designer collections—from simple silk T-shirts to sleek suits. Well-known individuals have also been seen in pristine white attire at prestigious shows.

The positive takeaway is: chances are you already own items in this "discreet" chosen hue. In the words of Pressman, Cloud Dancer "signifies a eco-friendlier decision for the sustainability-minded," which essentially suggests skipping the requirement for fresh products at all.

FINALLY, a design directive for the inherently lazy. A fresh start, so to speak. A haven of serene simplicity amid the noise. Okay, I'm on board. Do you intend a monochrome palette for your closet?

Not a chance. Attempting to get out grass stains from a white shirt? I don't need more laundry disasters in 2026.

I do own a pair of once-white sandals, and those remain perpetually fashionable.