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Hello! I can't wait to learn what color will define 2026. Tell me everything!

Brace yourself, because every year for over two decades, Pantone chooses a Color of the Year. This selection seeks to represent the spirit of the times—informing everything from our emotions and fashion choices to home decor. The previous year's hue was the rich tan "a coffee-inspired shade," which came after the gentle and peachy "a delicate peach tone."

The new selection, though, is even more puzzling. It is "Cloud Dancer," labeled as a "billowy, balanced white."

Laurie Pressman, vice-president of the Pantone Color Institute, stated that it is "a pivotal neutral tone … enabling all colors to stand out."

Hmm, Cloud Dancer… seriously, white? Is this a prank? Is white even a proper color?

How does one define the hue of a cloud? Milk? While many view white as a color, every hue is fundamentally a spectrum of light waves. You can find it in a set of colored pencils, so for practical purposes the answer is yes.

Whether Pantone is out of touch is trickier to figure out. According to their release, Cloud Dancer mixes well with other colors, avoids sensory overload, makes a minimalist statement, and radiates subtle elegance.

The public reaction, on the other hand, has not been as kind. A number of observers have suggested Pantone of being completely "tone-deaf." Style expert Mandy Lee called it "disappointing." Others have compared it with coded promotion of problematic concepts seen in popular culture.

Right, hopefully they're blissfully unaware that the timing is awkward to be overly emphasizing pure white... Therefore, how might someone who doesn't follow a catwalk incorporate this news in daily life? I recently coated my ceiling in white paint, is that enough?

That definitely qualifies. The same goes for your earbuds, sink, or linen sheets.

It's interesting you mention catwalks, because many recent shows have been bold and fuzzy, featuring naturally dyed feathers on the catwalk.

The color white made appearances, as always, in designer collections—from simple silk T-shirts to tailored gowns. Celebrities and public figures have also been seen in pristine white ensembles at prestigious shows.

The positive takeaway is: you probably already possess items in this "subtle" color of the year. As Pressman, Cloud Dancer "embodies a eco-friendlier decision for the sustainability-minded," which might translate to avoiding the need to purchase fresh products at all.

AT LAST, a design directive for the truly minimalist. A fresh start, in a manner of speaking. A sanctuary of serene simplicity within the noise. Alright, I'm sold. Do you intend a whiteout for your closet?

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

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