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Pantone 2026 Color of the Year: Winter White - Quietest Shade Reshaping Travel Essentials

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Monday, December 8th 2025 at 6:32 GMT by Travel + Leisure

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Pantone 2026 Color of the Year: “Winter White” – How the Quietest Shade Is Re‑Shaping Travel Essentials

When Pantone unveiled its Color of the Year for 2026, it didn’t choose a bright, attention‑seeking hue. Instead, the organization crowned Winter White—a pure, understated shade that mirrors the crisp, unblemished snow of high‑altitude peaks—as the tone that will define design, fashion, and, increasingly, travel. Travel + Leisure has unpacked the story behind this decision, showing how the color will ripple through the items you pack, the outfits you wear, and even the destinations you choose.

1. Pantone’s Vision: Calm, Balance, and the Winter Moment

Pantone’s Color Expert, Mara Jansen, explained that Winter White is “a gentle, grounding force that invites us to pause, breathe, and reflect.” The shade is more than a visual choice; it is a psychological cue. In the 2020 “Ultimate Gray”–“Illuminating” pair and the 2021 “Ultimate Gray” trend that dominated boardrooms and runways, the industry had leaned toward the reassuring. Winter White builds on that, pushing the color into a white that feels warm, evoking the hush of a freshly fallen blanket of snow under a sky that is almost too clear to see.

The color’s hex code is #F5F5F5, a Pantone 11-0602 TPX—essentially the softest white you can imagine without tipping into stark, clinical brightness. It pairs seamlessly with mid‑toned greys, muted blues, and even the earthy browns of natural materials.

2. The Travel Connection: Packing in Winter White

Because Travel + Leisure focuses on how color translates into the real world, the article dives into practical ways to incorporate Winter White into your travel gear.

The article includes a link to Tumi’s winter‑white collection (tumi.com), which showcases the weight‑less, scratch‑resistant white leather that is both practical and stylish. A separate link to Away’s white spinner (awaytravel.com) highlights how this brand’s minimalist design embraces the color’s quiet power.

3. Designer Insights: From Runways to Road Trips

Pantone’s announcement prompted a flurry of commentary from top designers. Giorgio Armani notes that Winter White is “the perfect base for the luxury travel capsule,” while Rihanna’s Fenty collection incorporates the shade in “white‑to‑black gradient” jumpsuits that transition smoothly from city streets to beach retreats. The article links to a Fashionista interview with Armani where he elaborates on how the color “mirrors the tranquility of alpine resorts, yet feels accessible for everyday travel.”

The piece also references Pitt & May’s 2026 Winter White luggage line (pittandmay.com) that uses high‑density polymer and a matte finish to reduce glare—an aesthetic that resonates with the subtlety of Winter White.

4. Sustainability Angle: White, Clean, and Long‑Lasting

Travel + Leisure connects Winter White with sustainability. Because white surfaces reflect rather than absorb heat, they keep interiors cooler, reducing the need for air conditioning—an advantage for eco‑conscious travelers. The article cites a Pantone Sustainability Report (pantone.com/sustainability) which details how the 2026 color palette will be produced with “recycled materials and lower‑energy manufacturing processes.” It also highlights that many travel brands, such as Patagonia’s white travel jackets, now use recycled polyester in their white lines, reducing landfill waste.

5. Destination Inspiration: Where Winter White Comes Alive

The article points readers to the Pantone Travel Guide 2026 (pantone.com/travelguide), which matches the color palette with real destinations. Winter White thrives in:

• The Swiss Alps – where the snow is so pure that even the mountains appear to be painted with the shade.
• Iceland’s black sand beaches – the stark contrast makes the white look feel almost otherworldly.
• Northern Italy’s Venetian lagoons – the pale water reflects the winter white of the city’s historic façades.

Travel + Leisure’s “Top 10 Winter Destinations” page (travelandleisure.com/top-10-winter-destinations) further elaborates on how these locales pair with Winter White, suggesting packing lists that match the aesthetic.

6. The Color’s Historical Context

To give readers a sense of continuity, the article traces Pantone’s past selections. After the “Ultimate Gray” of 2020, 2021’s “Ultimate Gray” and 2022’s “Classic Blue” dominated design and interior spaces. Pantone 2026’s Winter White signals a return to neutrality, a “white that feels warm” rather than sterile. The article links to Pantone’s Color of the Year archive (pantone.com/color-of-the-year) where you can scroll through the decade of hues and see how Winter White fits into the larger narrative.

7. Takeaway for the Savvy Traveler

Pack light, pack white. Travel + Leisure emphasizes that Winter White is a versatile, timeless color that eases the chaos of packing: a white suitcase is unmistakable on a busy airport conveyor belt, white clothing layers can be mixed and matched with minimal fuss, and white accessories add a sense of calm to the often hectic travel experience.

The article’s key message is that while the world may be saturated with bold, loud statements, the quiet strength of Winter White offers a grounding aesthetic that’s perfect for the modern traveler. It invites you to focus on the journey itself, rather than the noise of overstimulating visuals.

8. Final Thought

Pantone’s Color of the Year 2026, “Winter White,” may seem understated, but its influence is far‑reaching. From the gleam of a white carry‑on to the hush of a white linen‑lined hotel room, the shade invites us to pause, breathe, and enjoy the simplicity of winter’s calm. As you plan your next getaway, consider how incorporating Winter White into your wardrobe and gear can transform the ordinary into a subtle celebration of elegance, sustainability, and the quiet beauty of the world’s winter landscapes.