I'm Giving My Wardrobe an Elegant Upgrade With 2026's Biggest Color Trend of the Year
This year's color trends run the gamut of bold and bright primary colors to serene and pillowy soft white hues. And while I can't wait to add a touch of fire-engine red and cobalt blue to my 2026 outfits, there's no question that I've been utterly seduced by the beautiful and billowy milky hues that ruled on the S/S 26 runways—a shade Pantone has named Cloud Dancer and was crowned it the 2026 Color of the Year.
The natural shade of white, chosen for its serene, calming influence feels particularly apt as we head into 2026 with a desire for a fresh perspective and clean palette. Designers proved the cloud-like color is anything but boring, with fashion houses such as Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga, Jil Sander, Celine, and Carven (to name but a few) showcasing the hue in a range of textures, fluid fabrics, and bold silhouettes—encouraging us to get creative with the color.
The dreamy hue is elegant, refined, and most certainly has undertones of I only travel first class, so whether you go for a head-to-toe look, or incorporate the calming color via a chic sweater or statement coat, the hue is guaranteed to add a refined touch to your looks. Expect your dry cleaning bill to rise—and your outfit game to rise right along with it!
Keep scrolling to see how the fashion set are already embracing Pantone's Cloud Dancer, and shop some of our favorite natural white pieces to lean into the trend this year.

Judith Jones is the associate shopping director at Who What Wear and has worked in fashion for over a decade. She specializes in shopping content and trend stories with high-affiliate impact. She shares the coolest, most desirable fashion market finds and brands for every budget. Previous to working in fashion, Judith worked as a TV host on the PBS travel show Globe Trekker (airing on Netflix and Amazon Prime) sharing her passion for travel and culture.