Justice for Cloud Dancer, or eight reasons why I fell for Pantone’s Color of the Year

When I saw that Pantone had chosen Cloud Dancer as the Color of the Year for 2026, I was taken aback. I expected a visual explosion, something along the lines of previous picks like Viva Magenta or Ultra Violet. Cloud Dancer, on the other hand, feels almost imperceptible. I wondered whether that was, in fact, the point. In the days that followed, I “read the entire internet” on the subject. For instance, it is interesting that this marks the first time in the history of the Pantone tradition that “white” has been named Color of the Year.

Of course, not quite white, but an off-white shade that sits somewhere between warm and cool undertones. Naturally, this decision sparked debate, discussed across numerous platforms and from various angles: what does this color choice mean in the context of our time, politically, psychologically, and aesthetically? The opinion that reached a consensus is this: in a world oversaturated with images, text, and sound, the Cloud Dancer shade symbolizes peace, clarity, and calm. It is a “blank canvas” and offers both spatial and mental pause. The color of that “let me start over.”

Related: The Pantone 2026 shade is here and these are the home pieces I am choosing

Cloud Dancer, Photo: Courtesy of Pantone

What intrigued me most was the intimate psychological nature of this choice, because I know how deeply colors affect me and how, through different choices in clothing and interiors, I intuitively construct atmosphere and mood, my own and others’. I was reminded that nearly a century ago, within the Bauhaus, artist and color theorist Johannes Itten spoke of white as the highest degree of light, not as emptiness, but as an active state that brings clarity of form and balance.

Colors influence emotions, energy, and the way we experience space and our own bodies. Intense colors like red are associated with action and excitement, the many versions of the red heart emoji prove that. Blue is linked to calm and infinity, the sky and the ocean have no end, right? Green evokes balance and regeneration, imagine a vast grassy meadow, while dark colors signal seriousness and distance, which is exactly how I feel when I wear black. And white? Naturally, peace and balance. In today’s hectic world, where tectonic shifts in politics and society seem to happen almost daily, this color choice feels somewhat absurd. Or perhaps it is exactly what we need.

Dior Spring 2026, Acielle

Exploring how this shade functions beyond the abstract idea of a color of the year, I turned to the online fashion retailer Answear as a place where we can find this color in interesting and inspiring combinations for both home and wardrobe. Below are eight reasons why I personally decided that Cloud Dancer makes absolute sense when it moves from theory into practice, in clothing, on surfaces, in layers, and in textures.

#1 A Cloud Dancer total look works extremely well in winter

Monochromatic styling can often feel strict or overpowering, but Cloud Dancer has that rare ability to remain subtle even when worn head to toe. If I had to use a metaphor, in dresses, sets, or matching ensembles in this color, I felt light, like a cloud. It is no coincidence that the Color of the Year is called Cloud Dancer.

#2 A shade that pairs beautifully with every other color

Color blocking, for me, is the fashion equivalent of a conversation between two or more colors. Sometimes it is a heated debate, sometimes a harmonious, inspiring dialogue. We have already seen that white works on its own, but its other important strength lies in its role as a base. As a neutral foundation, it gives other colors the space to articulate themselves clearly. Just think of when Bella Hadid walked through Aspen this winter in her white jeans and surprised us with how good they looked paired with dark tones, proving they are not reserved only for summer. If I opt for a basic polo shirt, a hoodie without any graphics, or a simply cut skirt in an off-white shade, the rest of the outfit will truly shine.

#3 With Cloud Dancer shoes, dancing somehow feels easier… oops, styling

I can count on one hand how many times the thought of buying white shoes has crossed my mind. Sneakers, of course, but shoes in general, not really. Why, I am not entirely sure, but Cloud Dancer made me reconsider that decision, and it is a good thing it did. Just as a top in this shade pairs effortlessly with any other garment, shoes in this tone can easily rival the eternal black pumps.

#4 Cloud Dancer bedding is the perfect choice for the bedroom

If you are, like me, a fan of light shades in the bedroom, there is no better choice than Cloud Dancer. It brings a sense of calm and cleanliness, while steering clear of classic white. It is not that I have anything against it, but I would say Cloud Dancer is the perfect alternative, the same impression of purity, yet without tipping into sterility, instead bringing warmth and emotion. Love!

#5 Statement home pieces in light colors? Yes, it is possible

I love decorating my home with details that are small in size but big in message, so-called statement pieces. Until now, it seemed to me that achieving this required choosing more striking shades that belong to a darker palette, which, honestly, I am not a fan of. Here, too, Cloud Dancer proved to be a brilliant option. It did not demand many compromises in terms of color, yet it made a significant difference in the space.

#6 A color that delivers a cool vintage feel

Cloud Dancer immediately reminded me of the fate of my favorite T-shirt, which was perfectly white, but only until the first serious wash. And of my beloved white sneakers that have seen all seasons and acquired their current slightly worn look. These pieces become the most beautiful only once they stop being new. I love them that way, with patina, faded, bearing traces of life that give them character. Cloud Dancer naturally leans into a vintage, worn-out aesthetic that awakens a specific sentiment in me.

#7 A color that does not depend on trends and is worth investing in

It seems to me that the title of Color of the Year merely underlines what we have long known, and now have the opportunity to confirm: Cloud Dancer has always been there. My wardrobe can attest to that. It is not a color that works only within a single season, and its strength lies in the fact that it does not try to look new. Fashion will move on and go somewhere else, but pieces in this color will not be forgotten in the most valuable part of our wardrobes, nor will they remind you that it is time to replace them.

#8 Dresses in the Cloud Dancer shade look red-carpet ready

As the culmination of my exploration of this white-adjacent shade, I realized that off-white, bone, and chalk tones have long been present in both pop culture and on red carpets. Women such as Phoebe Philo, the Olsen sisters, as well as Gwyneth Paltrow, have built entire fashion empires relying on light neutral tones.

Cloud Dancer can appear exceptionally elegant and luxurious even in a formal context. At the recent Golden Globe Awards, this was confirmed by Emily Blunt and Amanda Seyfried, who shone in light, off-white tones, while some of the men also opted for this palette, such as Hudson Williams, yes, Heated Rivalry managed to sneak into this text as well.

The conclusion is that I definitely need a dress in this color for the upcoming milestones in my life.

This article was created in collaboration with the online fashion retailer Answear.