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Greetings! I'm incredibly excited to learn what color will define 2026. What's the scoop?

Brace yourself, since every year since 1999, Pantone chooses a defining hue. This pick seeks to represent the zeitgeist—informing everything from our emotions and what we wear to home decor. The previous year's selection was the rich tan "a coffee-inspired shade," which came after the gentle and peachy "Peach Fuzz."

The new announcement, in contrast, is somewhat unexpected. It is "a billowy white," which Pantone calls a "soft and structural white."

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

Well, Cloud Dancer sounds… hold on, just white? Could they be trolling us? Can white truly be considered a distinct hue?

What is the best way to define the color of clouds? Fresh snow? Even though people often think of white as a color, every hue is fundamentally a range of visible light. You can find it in a child's crayon box, so for practical purposes the answer is yes.

Whether Pantone is out of touch is trickier to figure out. The company states, Cloud Dancer combines easily with other colors, avoids sensory overload, makes a minimalist statement, and radiates subtle elegance.

Responses from critics, in contrast, has been less complimentary. Some commentators have suggested Pantone of being completely "tone-deaf." Style expert Mandy Lee described it as "disappointing." Critics have drawn parallels to coded promotion of problematic concepts seen in recent advertising.

I see, hopefully they're happily ignorant that now is a sensitive time to be explicitly championing pure white... Therefore, how can a regular person who doesn't follow a catwalk use this information in daily life? I recently coated my ceiling in white paint, does that qualify?

Yes, that certainly counts. The same goes for your earbuds, bathtub, or favorite mug.

It's interesting you mention catwalks, since many collections this year have been bold and fuzzy, featuring eco-friendly feathers on the runway.

White ensembles made appearances, as per usual, in high-fashion looks—from elegant blouses to tailored gowns. Celebrities and public figures have also been seen in monochromatic white ensembles at public appearances.

The positive takeaway is: you probably already possess pieces in this "discreet" color of the year. In the words of Pressman, Cloud Dancer "signifies a greener option for the sustainability-minded," which could mean avoiding the need to purchase new items at all.

FINALLY, a fashion trend for the deeply unmotivated. An empty canvas, in a manner of speaking. A sanctuary of calming neutrality against the chaos. I'm convinced, I get it. Are you planning a monochrome palette for your closet?

Not a chance. Do you know how hard it is to remove grass stains from a light garment? I could do without extra stain-removal drama in 2026.

I do possess a pair of once-white Birkenstocks, and this classic footwear never go out of style.