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Pantone Color of the Year 2026 Fashion & Beauty Shopping List
Anyone who’s spent any time on social media as of late has likely already heard the buzz. Color expert and trend-forecasting giant Pantone just cut the ribbon on its 2026 Color of the Year, which it’s been updating annually for the past 26 years — making this the first time in 26 years that it chose the color… white?
The rationale behind this nothing-short-of-interesting choice is as (perhaps intentionally?) misty as the hue itself. Pantone’s winning colorway, Cloud Dancer, is supposed to “serv[e] as a symbol of calming influence in a society rediscovering the value of quiet reflection,” per the brand. It goes on to say that the shade’s goal is to foster “relaxation and focus, allowing the mind to wander and creativity to breathe, making room for innovation.”
Whichever way you might feel about the neutral tone (that can be found on almost every wall in your office and home), its undeniable appeal lies in the fact that Cloud Dancer never feels overwhelming. It’s the blank slate needed to think clearer and more fruitful thoughts — something that’s likely going to be a part of many people’s New Year’s resolutions for 2026.
And though adorning your abode with objects that pay homage to Cloud Dancer’s quiet powers and ability to be a “refuge of visual cleanliness,” according to Pantone, is easy enough (any rug or vase swathed in white will do), dressing the part proves to be harder.
In her reporting, WWD’s senior editor Rosemary Feitelberg said the following about the color’s sartorial connection: “Cloud Dancer-like ensembles have been favored for key appearances by such celebrities and public figures as Sabrina Carpenter, Greta Lee, Doechii, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Erika Kirk in recent months. In October, Meghan Markle swept into the Balenciaga show in Paris wearing an all-white ensemble from the luxury house. More recently, Melania Trump has donned a few different white coats in the past week or so including a belted white Dior one for the arrival of the White House holiday tree.”
While white is ubiquitous in our daily lives, you can take a page from the aforementioned stars and use it quite strategically in your wintertime outfits: curating looks that are nothing short of unique and unforgettable.
Pantone has spoken: Cloud Dancer is the shade that will make the most impact across fashion, beauty, and interiors next year.
Courtesy Pantone
Pantone’s vision revolves around a global embrace of its latest Color of the Year rollout, which will subsequently let “function and feeling intertwine” while inspiring a distinct sense of lightness. Such sentiments couldn’t be a better fit for the season — weather- and history-wise — that we find ourselves in. Amidst the din of stress-inducing news headlines, the newly arrived cold weather is also turning out to be a burden in and of itself. Lightness and perspective in the thick of all this? Achieving it, through what you wear, no less, will be somewhat of a superpower.
Below, the 10 editor-recommended top picks — spanning handbags, luxury knitwear, makeup, and loungewear — for becoming your very own version of a graceful, sophisticated, timelessly dressed Cloud Dancer.
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Coach Tabby Shoulder Bag 20 With Pillow Quilting
All hail the viral Coach Tabby that’s been spotted in the hands of everyone from Lola Tung to Emily Ratajkowski recently. Though the handbag experienced some fresh updates (including the debut of its roomier, chain-bedecked version on Coach’s fall 2025 runway), nothing could be classier than this O.G. version: a quilted Tabby whose quilted, textural appeal is amplified through that top-quality nappa leather, gilded chain strap, and attractive touches of hardware. To reinforce the sense of “visual cleanliness” in your outfits of the season, go with the bag’s Cloud Dancer–adjacent Chalk shade, which is bound to pop against the backdrop of your darker capsule wardrobe.
Price upon publish date of this article: $395
Coach Outlet Mid Puffer in Recycled Polyester
Meet Coach’s cousin, Coach Outlet, which has no shortage of budget-conscious womenswear up its sleeve this season, including this Mid Puffer. To be clear, there’s nothing mid about the down jacket that will insulate you from the winter chill without ever feeling stuffy. Though the coat was released prior to Pantone’s conversation-generating announcement, its Cream color nails the Cloud Dancer theme marvelously. Throw the piece on overtop a favored cashmere sweater and straight-leg jeans before all your ice-skating dates, dinners out with friends, and treks to work in the next few months.
Price upon publish date of this article: $349
Dior Rouge Dior Lip Balm
Dreaming of a (Cloud Dancer) white Christmas? Let the Rouge Dior Lip Balm help you prepare for every event on the social cal this month. To be sure, the pictured shade won’t stain your pout with white. Instead, Diornatural is sheer and works to hydrate lips thanks to red peony and pomegranate flower extracts, smoothing out pesky lines all the while. Up to 24 hours of moisture will be yours to enjoy with this bestseller, along with a subtle sheen that aces the no-makeup makeup look to a tee.
Price upon publish date of this article: $50
Ralph Lauren Cable-Knit Wool-Cashmere Sweater
Function and feeling will most definitely intertwine for you as soon as you put on this cashmere Ralph Lauren sweater. In other words, you’ll feel like you’re wrapped in the cozy embrace of something utterly soft and comforting, all while looking put-together: a win in the functionality department. The fit here is slim (and thus ready to layer under all manner of outerwear). As for that crew neckline and rib-knit cuffs plus hem? They make the sweater a study in timeless stylishness — the kind that’s infused with serenity, considering the jumper’s easy-on-the-eyes Authentic Cream hue.
Price upon publish date of this article: $228
La Prairie White Caviar Pearl Infusion Serum
Luxury Swiss skin care brand La Prairie’s high-performing formulas are informed by advanced cellular science — to ensure you’re getting only the best of the best on the market, of course. La Prairie also doesn’t shy away from using top-tier ingredients like gold and caviar in its offerings, and this serum is no exception. The white caviar pearls here work to boost skin’s luminosity and firmness while helping with concerns like dark spots and uneven tone. The topical’s texture will feel lightweight as you apply it after cleansing and before moisturizing; as for its coloring, expect something that’s nothing short of pearlescent (Cloud Dancer, meet your match!).
Price upon publish date of this article: $790
Skims Outdoor Fleece Pant
As soon as we heard the Pantone news, we thought of Skims’ Ecru, which the Kim K–helmed label has called its “chic, new cream color,” released early last year. A minimalist and elegant stunner on its own, Ecru’s beauty is only maximized when it’s seen on fleece clothing options from Skims. Take these high-rise pants as a prime example: plush to the touch, they’re also sartorial chameleons of sorts, granting a literal blank slate for all your other more colorful loungewear to shine. Promising to become your “most-worn winter layer,” the fleece bottoms also have a bootcut silhouette, concealed back pocket for storing everything from keys to lip gloss, and the kind of overall It-girl-approved looks that will get you stopped on the street. (Yes, we recommend wearing them outdoors, too, as the name suggests.)
Price upon publish date of this article: $118
On Cloud 6 Versa Shoe
To honor Pantone’s pick from head to toe in 2026, make sure you have the all-white On Cloud 6 Versa on your shoe rack. This leading white sneaker for women is a top seller for a reason: Its sock-like fit leaves blisters in the rearview mirror, while that signature CloudTec cushioning keeps you feeling supported (even as you surpass your 10,000 steps goal) and the durable, high-traction outsole makes sure you can crush your workout on any surface. This shoe’s so good-looking, you can even wear it with dresses come spring.
Price upon publish date of this article: $170
Yves Saint Laurent All Hours Hyper Finish Setting Powder
Every glam-obsessed woman needs a trusty lil’ finishing powder in her makeup bag for rounding out every single makeup look with something that mattifies shine, color-corrects imperfections, and ensures the longevity of other products — like bronzers and foundations — that you treated your face to. Each time you open up this boujee case from Yves Saint Laurent, you’ll be reminded to “rediscove[r] the value of quiet reflection.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $65
Bombas Women’s Lightweight Bow Quarter Socks
You don’t need a color expert’s COTY decision for 2026 to remind you it’s time for a sock update. This time around, don’t let it be just any pair of socks — choosing only the finest, from the Hailey Bieber–worn brand Bombas. Not only are its Lightweight Bow Quarter Socks cutesy as can be courtesy of those bows at the back (nailing another still-relevant trend: coquette-core), but they’re also highly breathable. Despite their lightness, the must-have socks feature formidable, built-in arch support and special cuffs that will prevent them from sliding down your feet throughout the day.
Price upon publish date of this article: $20
Madewell Organic Wide Cuff Bracelet
Looking for a jewelry piece that Pantone would surely vouch for? Here’s Madewell’s Organic Wide Cuff Bracelet. It will soon become the star of the show in your bracelet stack, what with that fluid, organic shape and silvery undertones. Roll up the sleeves of your new cashmere acquisition to accommodate for this stunner, and get instant peace of mind (Pantone’s hope precisely!) from the fact that that it’s crafted using recycled factory scrap metals.
Price upon publish date of this article: $68
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Meet the Author
Stacia Datskovska is a Senior Commerce Writer at WWD. Previously, she worked at ELLE DECOR as an assistant digital editor, covering all things luxury, culture, and lifestyle through a design lens. Her bylines over the past five years have appeared in USA Today, Baltimore Sun, Teen Vogue, Boston Globe, Food & Wine, and more. Prior to joining ELLE DECOR, Datskovska learned the ins and outs of e-commerce at Mashable, where she tested products, covered tentpole sales events, and curated gift guide roundups. She graduated from NYU with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and international relations. Datskovska regularly reports on cultural happenings (COTY reveals included!) that influence the world of fashion.
