White dresses are making a strong case for wardrobe MVP of 2026

White dresses have been everywhere, but lately—shall we say, thanks to Zendaya—they’ve taken a distinctly Grecian turn. Pantone gave this trend an early head start by naming Cloud Dancer, a soft off-white hue, its Colour of the Year.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JULY 14: Zendaya attends “The Odyssey” New York Premiere at AMC Lincoln Square Theater on July 14, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/WireImage)Theo Wargo

PARIS, FRANCE – JULY 7: Zendaya is seen arriving at the “Odyssey” photo call on July 7, 2026 in Paris, France. (Photo by MEGA/GC Images)FJLON3/Mega

LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 05: Zendaya poses at the London Photocall for “The Odyssey” at IET London: Savoy Place on July 5, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Grant Buchanan/Dave Benett/WireImage)Dave Benett

Zendaya’s press tour for The Odyssey (2026) has caused a sudden uptick in our collective obsession with white dresses. The actor, who played the Greek goddess Athena in the movie, worked closely with her longtime stylist Law Roach to method dress her way through the press tour. Her looks featured columns of ivory, asymmetric draping, bare shoulders and fabric gathered around the body, all without slipping too far into costume territory. At the D23 Disney Legends Awards Ceremony, KATSEYE gave a surprise performance dressed in in white dresses as a contemporary take on the Muses—inspired by the source matter, Hercules.

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 16: (L-R) Daniela, Lara Raj, Megan and Yoonchae of KATSEYE at the Disney Entertainment Showcase at D23: Legends on August 16, 2026 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Disney)Kevin Mazur/Getty Images