SPRING INTO STYLE: EMBRACING PANTONE’S 2025 MOCHA MOUSSE TREND
By Mila Armstrong
As we enter a New Year new attitudes and perspectives follow suit and to further showcase this Pantone, a globally renowned color company, has just released their new Color of the Year!
Since 1999, Pantone has been selecting a “Color of the Year”, a shade that captures the cultural mood and sets the tone for what’s to come. This year, for their 25th anniversary, they’ve chosen PANTONE 17-1230 Mocha Mousse—a rich, delicious brown that feels just as comforting as your favorite warm latte.
Mocha Mousse embodies a sense of calmness and unpretentious elegance, making it the perfect shade to bring warmth and versatility to your new wardrobe.
“It nurtures us with its suggestion
of the delectable qualities of chocolate
and coffee, answering our desire for comfort”
-- Pantone, Color of the Year 2025
With spring around the corner, it’s time for us to start purging and prepping our closets with clothes that reflect the kind of year we want to have. Mocha Mousse can seem like a daunting color to tackle since it’s a neutral color that veers away from our typical black or white, but it’s just as versatile when given a chance. Monochromatic outfits are an easy way to incorporate this color into our everyday wardrobes, but there are also fun ways to elevate those looks into something more bold! Don’t be afraid to mismatch different shades or hues of Mocha Mousse. Letting a deep, dark brown complement a creamy light tone to enhance the richness of the color and add contrast with items you probably already own. And if you’re craving some color, don’t worry—a pop of bold red or teal works wonders and brings life to any outfit built around Mocha Mousse.
If you want to incorporate this shade in smaller doses, accessories are most definetly the way to go. They’re a fun and budget-friendly way to explore trends without having to revamp your entire wardrobe. Think milky brown handbags, belts, or hats that add just the right touch to any outfit. Texture and silhouette can also completely elevate this neutral tone, which some might dismiss as bland or boring compared to brighter hues. If brown feels too simple for your style, try playing with textures and shapes to give your outfit dimension and an exciting flair. Sheer fabrics, leathers, furs, cotton, or wool can take Mocha Mousse to the next level, making it feel fresh and luxurious. These small tidbits transform a basic neutral into something much more dynamic and fashion-forward.
The calm nature of Mocha Mousse is a stark contrast to the bright, almost neon colors that have been rising in popularity throughout 2024. New releases such as the beloved Barbie movie, electro-pop artist Charli XCX’s summer album Brat, and even newer releases like the film adaptation of Wicked feature bold greens and pinks that captivated audiences of all ages. Mocha Mousse and these vastly different neon colors seem like total strangers, yet both evoke a strong sense of nostalgia. One channels the playful energy of childhood and teenage youthfulness through vibrant imagery and flashing colors, while the other takes a more nurturing approach with its warm, grounding tones, conveying comfort ,and a sort of timeless elegance. Seeing as these two colors coincide with each other, it further highlights the broad emotional spectrum and range that color can provide us.
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Whether your New Year’s resolution is to save more money or to become a more sustainable shopper, you can still embrace trends in an eco-friendly way. Instead of tossing out last year’s wardrobe in pursuit of a "new you," consider what you can upcycle and make trendy yourself! For instance, any white or cream shirt can be transformed into the trendy Mocha Mousse shade with a simple coffee bath. Using household coffee is an affordable and creative way to breathe new life into your old, unused garments—just soak them for about an hour to achieve that rich brown hue brands are putting out this season. As a bonus, your home will smell incredible while you’re at it!
Mocha Mousse can be seen as more than just a color—it’s a chance to explore a new perspective on style and sustainability altogether. By blending this warm, versatile hue into your closet, you’re not only embracing Pantone’s latest trend but also creating looks that feel personal to you. Whether you’re dyeing old pieces with a coffee bath, experimenting with textures to add interest, or simply adding a pop of brown through accessories, don’t be afraid to make this color truly yours!
