PICKING the color that captures the cultural mood for the coming year is never simple. Yet each year the Pantone Color Institute attempts to pick just that — and for 2026 it has chosen a soft white called “Cloud Dancer.”

The institute, a leading voice in color forecasting and brand advice, describes Cloud Dancer as “a billowy, balanced white imbued with a feeling of serenity.”

As technology becomes even more entwined with everyday life, the shade is intended to act as a calming counterpoint, encouraging measured thought and quiet reflection, said Leatrice Eiseman, the institute’s executive director. She added that the color evokes new beginnings and a collective wish for a fresh start.

Since 1999, the institute’s Color of the Year program has tracked cultural, political and style signals to find a hue that reflects a moment in time. The selection process narrows from broad color families to one exact tone — and even the name matters.

Cloud Dancer was chosen for its careful balance of warm and cool undertones. A brighter, more clinical white would undercut the natural, authentic quality the institute sought, Eiseman said, suggesting that a harsher white can feel sterile and isolating.

The shade also connects with fashion and interiors trends emphasizing airy silhouettes and natural materials. Feathers and flowing whites appeared at recent high-profile events — from the memorable 18‑foot train on Diana Ross’s white gown at the Met Gala to Emma Stone’s bubble-hem Louis Vuitton dress at the Venice Film Festival — while artists like Rosalía have favored clean, floaty white looks during recent promotions.

In homes, Pantone sees Cloud Dancer as “clarity without coldness, structure without severity,” pairing easily with wood, stone and other natural textures. (SD-Agencies)