Pantone’s Colour of the Year, Explained
Every year, at the beginning of December, the Pantone Colour Institute sets the internet abuzz with its highly anticipated Colour of the Year announcement. This chosen hue goes on to influence design, marketing and consumer behaviour, shaping trends and steering the way the world ticks in the seasons to come.
It goes without saying that a colour carrying this amount of weight is not chosen at random. A team of experts and specialists from around the world observe, research and analyse various spheres of influence — from film and fashion to art and travel — to determine the selection. Anything and everything that unfolds within global culture throughout the year can shape Pantone’s Colour of the Year, including new technologies, socio-economic conditions and political events.
Through this thoughtful consideration and trend analysis, an exact right shade is ultimately identified. It is then carefully named to conjure an image and a feeling, ensuring it does justice to the colour and the emotions it is meant to evoke.
Pantone’s Colour of the Year 2026: Cloud Dancer
This year, Cloud Dancer is crowned Pantone’s Colour of the Year 2026 — a shade of white that Lee Eisman, Pantone’s executive director, describes as “a breath of fresh air.” Its name evokes a soft, airy lightness, free from weight or worry, reflecting a global shift towards a desire for simplicity, peace and contentment. Following the darker, richer 2025 shade, Mocha Mousse, which signalled a collective need for comfort and grounding, Cloud Dancer represents a clean slate and an openness to new beginnings.
Cloud Dancer Vs. Classic White: What’s the Difference?
To the untrained eye, Cloud Dancer may look just like another shade of white, but there are subtle differences that make it worthy of its Colour of the Year status. While classic white often carries cooler undertones, Cloud Dancer strikes a delicate balance between being warm and cool, appearing as a very light dove grey or vanilla white depending on the lighting.
Classic white reads as crisp, clean and sometimes even clinical, whereas Cloud Dancer feels soft, billowy and gentle. Its inherently balanced nature makes it highly versatile — adaptable to a wide range of colours, textures and environments — while classic white can appear harsh due to its starkness.
In essence, Cloud Dancer is nuanced and tactile, offering a more inviting, lived-in feel than classic white.
Colour Pairing Guide
Cloud Dancer & Powdered Pastels
Cloud Dancer complements powdered pastels such as butter yellow, blush pink and sea salt blue beautifully. It shares the same soft nature as these shades, allowing them to come together effortlessly. The gentle warmth of Cloud Dancer helps uplift the delicate tints of pastels without overpowering them. In return, pastels introduce subtle pops of colour to a Cloud Dancer base, contributing to a refined and understated aesthetic. The resulting palette is consistently calming and ethereal.
Cloud Dancer & Jewel Tones
From emerald green to navy blue and wine red, rich jewel tones create a striking contrast against Cloud Dancer white. The Colour of the Year’s understated quality allows these bold hues to appear even more vibrant and saturated, giving them greater visual impact. At the same time, the serenity of Cloud Dancer helps counterbalance the intensity of jewel tones, resulting in a look that is both striking and sophisticated.
Cloud Dancer & Metallics
As a versatile base, Cloud Dancer pairs well with a wide range of metallics — the choice depends on the mood or aesthetic you want to achieve in your outfit, design or space. Brushed brass, for instance, enhances the warm undertones of Cloud Dancer, creating a cosy yet luxurious look. In contrast, pairing Cloud Dancer with cool silver introduces a crisp, clean edge that feels fresh, modern and chic. Regardless of your preference, metallics will always elevate Cloud Dancer with a touch of effortless glamour.
Colours That Do Not Complement Cloud Dancer
Cloud Dancer is a highly versatile white that complements almost any colour. However, there are still some colours that, white not outright incompatible, may be less effective when paired with Cloud Dancer.
For instance, neons and fluorescents such as hot pink or highlighter yellow create an abrasive contrast against Cloud Dancer. Their intense brightness tends to clash with Cloud Dancer’s soft, airy quality. Another combination to avoid is pairing Cloud Dancer with bright, stark whites — whites with different undertones don’t always sit well together. In this case, Cloud Dancer’s creamy undertones may appear dirty or aged when placed next to a crisper, cooler white.
Introducing Cloud Dancer Into Your Wardrobe
It is safe to say that most of us already own some form of white clothing in our wardrobe. However, you may need to compare them with Pantone’s official colour swatch to see whether your existing pieces match this very specific shade of white. If they don’t, it might be time to invest in a few new ones.
Introduce Cloud Dancer into your wardrobe through everyday casual wear — a classic white T-shirt or effortlessly chic sneakers is a timeless place to start.
If you would like to embrace the trend without overcommitting, accessories are the way to go. Add a pop of white to your outfit with an elegant shoulder bag that transitions seamlessly from desk to dinner, and from work to play. While bold-coloured bags have been stealing the spotlight lately, white bags are classics for a reason — and they are set to make an even stronger comeback in the upcoming season.
Now that you are acquainted with Pantone’s Colour of the Year, Cloud Dancer, and understand how it differs from a classic white, stay one step ahead of the fashion curve by incorporating this versatile neutral into your wardrobe. Shop our edit of Cloud Dancer-passing pieces to get the ball rolling.