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Pantone Color Institute ’s 2026 pick has landed as a surprise, defying expectations from industry watchers who had widely forecast a warm neutral, with many even betting on a green shade. Instead of a saturated tone or a dramatic, deep hue, the institute chose a white – hushed, soft and oddly perfect in its calm. Interestingly, even the name carries an unexpected simplicity, amplifying the shade’s quiet charm.

Cloud dancer : Not your usual white

On Thursday, Pantone Colour Institute announced 2026’s colour of the year to be ‘Cloud Dancer’. Pantone described the shade as, “a lofty white that serves as a symbol of calming influence in a society rediscovering the value of quiet reflection. A billowy white imbued with serenity, PANTONE 11-4201 Cloud Dancer encourages true relaxation and focus, allowing the mind to wander and creativity to breathe, making room for innovation.”

‘It’s a continued tilt towards minimalism’

It is the first time ever that the institute has picked a shade of white. Industry experts shared their their thoughts on the choice.

For Niti Gupta, luxury & design expert, the shade reads as a “dreamy, cosy white with a gentle warmth, rather than the stark, icy quality often associated with pure white.”

Achint Mehta, a Delhi-based fashion designer, calls Cloud Dancer “a cosmic reset button.” “It’s a reminder that after years of visual chaos, sometimes the boldest statement is a clean slate. It’s the colour equivalent of taking a deep breath before a plot twist,” he says.

Fashion designer Mehakk Jain adds, “The shade hints at a cultural shift towards simplicity and emotional lightness. It is a subtle invitation to slow down, declutter, and embrace purity in form and feeling.”

From a fashion standpoint, celebrity stylist Madhuri Singh notes, “It signals fashion’s continued tilt towards minimalism, favouring subtlety over spectacle. The shade also mirrors the wider movement within bridal and occasion wear, where neutral palettes and quiet luxury have replaced heavy opulence. Even its name, reinforces this shift, evoking an airy, soft and weightless sensibility that feels modern."

‘It’s not giving’

Social media reactions to Cloud Dancer have been all over the place. Some appreciated the calm and minimalism, others found it underwhelming and dull. Some even termed it as “design inertia,” especially among people craving bold color or creativity in 2026.

Teal, khaki among other brands’ colour pick for 2026 VALSPAR

Valspar’s colour of the year is Warm Eucalyptus, a serene, earthy green with warm undertones that brings a calming, nostalgic and naturally grounding feel to any space.

WGSN AND COLORO

WGSN and Coloro picked Transformative Teal, which is a balanced blue-green that reflects resilience, clarity and a grounded connection to nature in a changing world.

SHERWIN-WILLIAMS

Sherwin-Williams chose Universal Khaki, a classic, versatile tan that offers a warm, functional and adaptable backdrop for a wide range of interiors.

KRYLON

Krylon’s pick, Matte Coffee Bean, is a moody dark brown that evokes simplicity, tranquillity and grounded warmth, elevating everyday spaces with a timeless sensibility.

WHAT’S IN STORE FOR 2026

1. Neutrals will deepen and dominate

Industry experts see 2026 as the year of richer, warmer neutrals. According to Achint Mehta, “2026 will shape up to be the year of Digital Coral—warm, impulsive and subtly electric.” Expect mood-anchoring tones like warm grey, brown, ivory, walnut and merlot to take centre stage, balancing comfort with soft chaos. 2. Earth-rooted calm will be everywhere

Earthy shades—chalky rose, smoky blue, tobacco brown, dusty olive, sunbaked terracotta, soft charcoal, mustard, burnt orange and teal blue—create interiors that feel stable, nurturing and quietly harmonious.

3. Green becomes the new universal neutral

Multiple brands have announced green-forward palettes for 2026, cementing its reign. Fashion labels, celebrities and style watchers are all leaning into it. Monica Wahla, head of women’s buying at JD Williams, told Forbes that olive green has “taken over as the new versatile neutral.”