Pantone Colour of the Year 2026: Find Your Best Shade of Cloud Dancer—and How to Wear It

House of Colour stylist Fiona Ingham deep dives into Cloud Dancer…

Pantone has officially named Cloud Dancer as the Pantone Color of the Year 2026. This soft, achromatic shade was chosen for its serenity, softness, and sense of cohesion. A natural white that feels classic yet effortlessly modern, Cloud Dancer is set to dominate fashion, interiors, and design trends in the year ahead.

Only three neutrals have been selected since Pantone introduced Colour of the Year back in 2000: Ultimate Gray, 2025’s Mocha Mousse, and now Cloud Dancer. Mocha Mousse transformed attitudes toward dressing in brown, flooding stores with rich, versatile shades. 

Will Cloud Dancer do the same for white? All signs point to yes. 

Why Pantone Chose Cloud Dancer for 2026

Laurie Pressman, Vice President of Pantone, explains that, as in previous years, soundings were taken globally to capture the “subliminal mood” shaping our world.

Pantone describes Cloud Dancer as offering “whispers of calm and peace in a noisy world”, providing comfort at a time when we crave respite from constant stimulation. This shade is promoted as imbued with serenity, a calming influence on a frenetic society, a tall order for any colour.

And what a contrast to previous vibrant selections like Greenery (2017) or 2023’s vivid Viva Magenta. Cloud Dancer signals a return to simplicity and timeless elegance.

How Pantone’s Colour of the Year Shapes Fashion and Design Trends

Pantone’s Colour of the Year doesn’t just influence fashion trends, it impacts interiors, technology, branding, and product design worldwide. For 2026, collaborations featuring Cloud Dancer are already underway with major brands including Motorola, Mandarin Oriental, Post-it, and even Play-Doh.

On the Spring/Summer 2026 runways, Cloud Dancer emerged as a palette cleanser, appearing in collections from Dior, Celine, Calvin Klein, and Bottega Veneta. Hollywood’s elite has embraced the trend too, with Jennifer Lawrence and Anya Taylor-Joy wearing the shade at the recent 2025 Governors Awards.

Whether you’re updating your wardrobe or refreshing your home décor, expect Cloud Dancer to dominate the conversation in 2026.

Cloud Dancer is a colour about relaxation, reflection, and creativity.

- Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute

Who Can Wear Cloud Dancer?

Cloud Dancer isn’t just a trend, it’s a timeless neutral that works beautifully for certain seasonal palettes. 

Summers will find this soft white effortlessly flattering, thanks to its delicate undertones. For Winters, a more intense optic white delivers crisp elegance, while Autumns and Springs can lean into warmer equivalents like oyster or cream for harmony.

These distinctions matter most when choosing a wedding dress or occasion wear, where the right shade of white can make all the difference in creating a radiant, balanced look. To discover your best version of white, book a Colour Analysis with your local House of Colour stylist.

How to Style Cloud Dancer

Cloud Dancer is more than a neutral, it’s a blank canvas you can style unique to your seasonal colour palette and style profile. This soft white harmonises with every colour in your wardrobe, allowing bold colours to create high contrast and pastels to whisper a more understated, elegant look.

If you’ve had your Colour Analysis, your seasonal booklet will reveal whether Cloud Dancer is a shade to wear head-to-toe or in smaller doses. Your season never changes, but your proportions might, making a Colour Re-rate a smart investment for staying effortlessly chic.

Chances are, Cloud Dancer is already hiding in your wardrobe. As an Autumn, I rediscovered a cream wool dress I’d overlooked. Styled with statement tights, bold footwear, and a sculptural necklace, it feels fresh again. A swipe of vibrant Lipstick or Butter Balm completes the look with confidence.

Fabric matters too. Luxe textures like cashmere or silk elevate this shade, while crisp cotton or relaxed linen bring modern ease. Whether you lean toward structured tailoring or fluid drape, Cloud Dancer adapts to your personality and lifestyle.

If you’re considering splashing out on a major item in the Cloud Dancer family, think practically, a white trouser suit or cashmere coat may look stunning, but consider your lifestyle and the dry-cleaning bills.

Looking for More Colour in 2026? Meet Transformative Teal

If you were hoping for something more colorful, trend forecasters WGSN and Coloro have you covered. Their pick for 2026 is Transformative Teal, a sophisticated blend of blue and green that feels fresh yet timeless.

Unlike many bold shades, Transformative Teal flatters every skin tone, making it a rare “safe” color that almost everyone loves. Over the years, I’ve noticed this hue consistently wins favor, whether for bridesmaid dresses, corporate uniforms, or statement pieces.

Ready to make Cloud Dancer work for you?

Find your nearest House of Colour stylist and start your journey to colour confidence with expert guidance tailored to you.