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Hi there! I can't wait to find out what color will define 2026. What's the scoop?

Brace yourself, since every year beginning in 1999, Pantone chooses a Color of the Year. This choice is a reflection of the spirit of the times—informing everything from our emotions and our wardrobe selections to how we design our living spaces. The previous year's hue was the rich tan "Mocha Mousse," which came after the subtly inviting "a delicate peach tone."

The new selection, though, is particularly baffling. It is "an airy shade," labeled as a "ethereal and neutral white."

Laurie Pressman, the vice president of the Pantone Color Institute, remarked that it is "an essential foundational hue … permitting all colors to be highlighted."

Well, Cloud Dancer sounds… seriously, white? Is this a prank? Can white truly be considered a real color?

Can you even define the hue of a cloud? Fresh snow? Although many view white as a color, every hue is fundamentally a range of visible light. It appears in a child's crayon box, so for practical purposes the answer is yes.

Whether Pantone is out of touch is more difficult to ascertain. According to their release, Cloud Dancer combines easily with other colors, avoids sensory overload, declares simplicity, and exudes refined calm.

The public reaction, in contrast, has not been as kind. A number of observers have declared Pantone of being completely "Pantonedeaf." Fashion and trend forecaster Mandy Lee labeled it "underwhelming." Critics have drawn parallels to coded promotion of controversial ideas seen in recent advertising.

Right, hopefully they're cheerfully oblivious that this isn't the best moment to be pointedly celebrating pure white... So, how can a regular person rarely near a fashion show apply this information in daily life? My kitchen ceiling is my ceiling with white, does that qualify?

Yes, that certainly counts. This applies equally to your white headphones, bathtub, or ceramic plate.

It's funny you mention runways, because many recent shows have been exceptionally bright, featuring eco-friendly materials on the runway.

All-white outfits were present, as per usual, in high-fashion looks—from simple silk T-shirts to collared dresses. Celebrities and public figures have also been seen in monochromatic white outfits at prestigious shows.

On the bright side is: you probably already possess something in this "understated" color of the year. In the words of Pressman, Cloud Dancer "represents a eco-friendlier decision for the sustainability-minded," which essentially suggests not having to buy new items at all.

FINALLY, a fashion trend for the deeply unmotivated. A blank page, so to speak. A sanctuary of calming neutrality within the chaos. Okay, I'm on board. Do you intend a all-white theme for your wardrobe?

Definitely not. Have you ever tried to remove red wine stains from a white shirt? I'm not seeking additional cleaning headaches in 2026.

I do possess a pair of once-white comfort shoes, and this classic footwear are always in vogue.