As we step into a new year, the symbolism woven into Cloud Dancer – the airy hue chosen by Pantone as its colour of the year for 2026 – couldn’t be more timely: “Similar to a blank canvas, Cloud Dancer signifies our desire for a fresh start. Peeling away layers of outmoded thinking, we open the door to new approaches. Cloud Dancer quiets the mind, encouraging true relaxation and focus that allows the mind to wander and creativity to breathe, making room for innovation.”
However, the choice to crown a shade of white as the colour of the year (the first time Pantone has done this in its 25-year history) has sparked debate across social media and design circles.
Why people are mad about Pantone’s Colour of the Year
Critics have questioned whether spotlighting “white” as the defining colour of 2026 feels tone-deaf in a world still grappling with conversations around race, representation and whose aesthetics get centred in mainstream culture.
“Choosing the colour white during this social and political climate really says something,” wrote designer Jason Rhee on Instagram, while another user commented that “the colour of the year being colourless is a recession indicator.”
What Pantone’s Colour of the Year actually is
Pantone’s Colour of the Year is an annual pick from the Pantone Color Institute meant to capture the cultural “mood” of the moment in a single shade.
The colour then filters into fashion, beauty, interiors, branding and product design as a kind of visual shorthand for how the year feels – brands use it for everything from eyeshadow palettes to luggage drops and limited-edition collabs.
The program has been running since 2000 and has helped turn colours like 2024’s Peach Fuzz and 2025’s Mocha Mousse into full-blown cultural talking points, long before they hit your Instagram feed.
How Pantone chooses the colour
Despite the memes about “a bunch of people in a room picking a random swatch,” Pantone says the process is more like an ongoing, global group chat among colour obsessives.
Throughout the year, its team tracks what’s happening in fashion, interiors, film, tech, beauty, travel, social media and even socio-political shifts to see which hues keep bubbling up across culture.
From there, they narrow down a colour family, then land on one specific shade and name that feels emotionally on-point for the coming year.
The choice is less about predicting trend pieces in your wardrobe and more about bottling a collective feeling – in 2026’s case, a hunger for calm, clarity and a clean slate.
Best Cloud Dancer-inspired pieces to shop now:
Fashion
Becca Maxi Dress
Assembly Label
A floaty, square-neck maxi in pure cotton that nails Cloud Dancer’s “billowy but polished” brief. With side seam pockets and a sleeveless silhouette, style with metallic jewellery so it reads modern, not bridal.
Leslie Maxi Dress
Madison The Label
A romantic, floor-skimming silhouette with ruched detailing that leans into the serene, special-occasion side of the trend. Think summer weddings, long lunches and beach-to-bar moments.
Embroidered Linen-Blend Top
KAMPERETT
A breezy white blouse with delicate embroidery that channels the handcrafted, quiet-luxury take on Cloud Dancer when paired with denim or tailored shorts.
Gordon Top
Significant Other
A crisp, easy white top you can throw on with wide-leg pants or a slip skirt. It hits that “elevated basics” zone Cloud Dancer is made for.
Neve Suede Shoulder Bag
Status Anxiety
A soft suede shoulder bag in a creamy neutral that adds texture to an all-white look and ties into the tactile, cocooning feel of the shade.
Underpinnings & Off-Duty
K77 White Tank Top
All For Mimi
A classic white tank with just-right straps that works as your Cloud Dancer base layer under blazers, sheer shirts or slouchy knits.
SKIMS Ultimate Rhinestone Teardrop Push-Up Bra in Ecru
SKIMS
A lifted, rhinestone-strap bra that keeps the Cloud Dancer palette going under your outfit, with a little sparkle for nights out and low-cut dresses.
SKIMS Cloud Mini Dress in Ecru
SKIMS
A sheer, faux-fur-trimmed mini that feels like the party-girl interpretation of Pantone’s pick – soft, fluffy and made to be seen with strappy heels.
Women’s Classic Platform Clog in White
Crocs
A chunky platform Croc in bright white that leans into the playful, normcore side of the trend and adds a Cloud Dancer-coded twist to off-duty fits.
Beauty & Skincare
Burberry Her London Dream Eau de Parfum, 50ml
Burberry
A soft, romantic floral with a sheer, airy feel that pairs neatly with Cloud Dancer’s “billowy white” brief.
RAAIE Skincare
RAAIE at Sephora Australia
A New Zealand botanical line built around UV-resilient plants and AM/PM routines that defend skin by day and repair it overnight.
FROM $68.00 AT SEPHORA AUSTRALIA
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
