Pantone has revealed Cloud Dancer (PANTONE 11-4201) as its 2026 Color of the Year, a soft, lofty white the company describes as a symbol of calm and quiet reflection for a world seeking stillness in an overstimulated era.
The choice marks the first time Pantone has ever selected a shade of white for its annual honor, which since 1999 has acted as a global cultural forecast shaping trends in branding, fashion, design, and consumer behavior.
In 2026, Cloud Dancer will appear across major brand collaborations—from Motorola smartphones and Command strips to Post-it Notes, Joybird furniture, and even Play-doh—reflecting what Pantone Color Institute vice president Laurie Pressman says consumers are gravitating toward.
Color historians like Regina Blaszczyk note that Pantone’s annual pick becomes a “celebrity” in creative industries, and Cloud Dancer aligns with the continuing rise of the quiet luxury aesthetic popularized in recent years by cultural moments like Sofia Richie’s wedding and Gwyneth Paltrow’s trial.
While this is Pantone’s first white Color of the Year, the company has previously selected shades meant to promote tranquility and reduce stress, underscoring Cloud Dancer’s role as both a design trendsetter and a reflection of the global mood heading into 2026.
