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

Prepare yourself, because every year beginning in 1999, Pantone announces a Color of the Year. This choice aims to capture the spirit of the times—shaping everything from our collective sentiment and our wardrobe selections to interior styling. Last year's hue was the rich tan "Mocha Mousse," which came after the gentle and peachy "Peach Fuzz."

The latest selection, though, is particularly baffling. It is "an airy shade," labeled as a "billowy, balanced white."

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

Interesting, Cloud Dancer… seriously, white? Is this a prank? Is white even a real color?

Can you even describe the color of clouds? Fresh snow? Although some consider white as a color, every hue is fundamentally a range of visible light. You can find it in a box of crayons, so in everyday terms the answer is yes.

The question of whether Pantone is pulling our leg is trickier to figure out. According to their release, Cloud Dancer pairs effortlessly with other colors, isn't overstimulating, declares simplicity, and projects subtle elegance.

Feedback online, however, has not been as kind. A number of observers have suggested Pantone of being completely "Pantonedeaf." Fashion and trend forecaster Mandy Lee called it "disappointing." Others have likened it to coded promotion of problematic concepts seen in popular culture.

Right, hopefully they're cheerfully oblivious that now is a sensitive time to be overly emphasizing pure white... Therefore, how should I not exactly adjacent to a runway incorporate this news in everyday routine? I just painted my ceiling in white paint, does that count?

Yes, that certainly counts. So would your white headphones, sink, or ceramic plate.

The timing is curious you mention runways, since many this season's presentations have been vibrantly colorful, featuring naturally dyed feathers on the stage.

The color white were present, like always, in designer collections—from elegant blouses to sleek suits. Well-known individuals have also been photographed in pristine white outfits at prestigious shows.

On the bright side is: chances are you already have something in this "subtle" designated shade. In the words of Pressman, Cloud Dancer "embodies a eco-friendlier decision for the sustainability-minded," which might translate to skipping the requirement for new items at all.

AT LAST, a fashion trend for the inherently lazy. An empty canvas, so to speak. A haven of calming neutrality within the noise. Okay, I'm on board. Are you planning a whiteout for your closet?

Absolutely not. Attempting to get out red wine stains from a white shirt? I don't need additional cleaning headaches in 2026.

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