Each colour chosen to symbolise a year tells more than just a trend. It tells of a climate, a collective need, an aesthetic direction. And this is exactly what Cloud Dancer, the colour of the year 2026 chosen by Pantone, tells us. A shade that opposes, with delicacy and beauty, seasons of excess, sharp contrasts and harsh saturations.

Defined by Pantone as a light shade, suspended, luminous but not cold, Cloud Dancer lies between milky white and the most delicate grey. It is not a colour that seeks attention: it achieves it by subtraction. And it is perfect for every season. Let's discover together how to wear it in the new year and which garments to focus on.

Cloud Dancer, the must-have garments to have in your wardrobe in 2026

It's not grey, it's not beige and it's not even cream, the classic one we like so much. Cloud Dancer is a colour that we recognise for its elegance and sophistication, for its warm and soft, almost pastel tone. And we like it because it fits, without contrasting or dominating. When used in combination with several colours from the dominant seasonal palettes, it brightens up looks, giving them an ethereal and sophisticated touch. But which Color of Year garments to choose for this 2026?

Let's start with the coat, the outerwear par excellence of winter and mid-season. Trends want it to be warm white, in fact, but with clean lines, slightly oversized, in compact wool or cashmere blend, to be matched with lighter outfits, for a very up-to-date monochromatic elegance, or with darker looks for contrasts that do not go unnoticed.

We then move on to the jumper, another essential item in our autumn wardrobe. Cloud Dancer colours, as Pantone has deliberated, and fabrics that are soft and enveloping to the touch and to the eye. Among the best sellers we mention the models with soft volumes, high collars and relaxed shoulders to wear at any time of day, in the office and in leisure time.

There is also the flowing, palazzo, straight or slightly loose-fitting trouser in this shade that makes it instantly chic. It can be worn with everything: fine turtlenecks, slightly oversized jumpers, strict shirts and deconstructed sweaters.

Last but not least, the Cloud Dancer dress, in mini or midi version, becomes the perfect base with which to construct structured outfits suitable for many occasions. Paired with coloured, or black and neutral socks, with blazers, jackets and wool cardigans, with comfortable, flat trainers and ankle boots with heels for daily and evening looks.

The shirt deserves a separate discourse. The white one, we know, is a timeless evergreen to be worn on the most diverse occasions. The Cloud Dancer one, in poplin, satin or twill, elevates refinement and style by offering us a bright, elegant garment suitable for every need, of style and silhouette.

How and when to wear the colour of 2026

As we have already said, the colour chosen by Pantone for 2026 lends itself to many styles and personalisations. It can be used for a monochrome total look, mixing textures and volumes for example. It can be worn together with the brown, chocolate, caramel, mocha or dark brown palette to create elegant and refined contrasts, or with black for a winning, clean and minimalist look. And, again, with grey and pastel colours that anticipate the spring to come, and bring beauty and luminosity even on the gloomiest of days.

A neutral, and indispensable, colour that brightens without weighing down and that can be worn practically anytime, from evening to morning. A few examples? The Cloud Dancer jumper with straight jeans and a light coat for daytime looks, or the flowing trousers with a shirt in the Pantone colour of the year and a jacket, to bring soft elegance to the office or more formal occasions.

And again, the Cloud Dancer dress, in knit or wool, to combine with a jacket or outerwear for moments in and out of the home in chic comfort. The Pantone 2026 colour, then, can be worn with tailored trousers or jeans for an urban but still chic daywear, or in a satin version for the evening. And for cocktails in the city and shopping sessions it works well on knitwear: perfect for effortless, comfortable and always bright looks.

Looking for inspiration for your 2026 looks? Discover at the end of this article a selection of Cloud Dancer garments that you can mix and match to create bright and spectacular outfits.