Mocha Mousse is a departure from the much bolder Colors of the Year that Pantone has selected lately. For the last four years, the title has gone to bright, vivid hues including Peach Fuzz (2024) and Viva Magenta (2023). According to the New York Times, Pantone hasn't chosen a shade of brown as its hero color in over two decades.

The Pantone Color Institute has announced its Color of the Year 2025 to the design community: the soft brown Mocha Mousse.

On Thursday, Pantone announced its 2025 color of the year: Mocha Mousse. Far softer than the “ Brat” green that dominated 2024, the shade is a nougaty brown that reminded Styles staff members of everything from luxury knitwear to swamp water.

Pantone's Color of the Year program started in 1999 when Cerulean blue was announced as Color of the Year for 2000. See all 28 inspiring selections to date.

Since the hue was already trending at fashion shows in September it's not as hard as you think to incorporate it into your wardrobe. Here are some essentials by Black-owned brands.

Pantone’s Color of the Year selections date back to 1999 when the company named Cerulean the shade to lead the world into the new millennium. Now more than 25 years into the program, Pantone’s annual pick has become a seasonal staple that color lovers and industry experts alike eagerly anticipate.