PANTONE 17-1230 Mocha Mousse: Was Pantone Right?

On December 5^th, 2024, Pantone announced the color of the year, ‘Mocha Mousse’ —a soft, muted brown shade that is warming and rich. The Pantone experts were right to predict a brown tone for the color of the year, as brown is the dominating color of the season on runways and shop windows. After several years of bold and vibrant shades—from bright Barbie pink to Charli XCX’s Brat green—Mocha Mousse marks a clear shift towards subtlety and calm. Following 2023’s Viva Magenta and 2024’s Peach Fuzz, this year’s pick signals a collective craving for grounding and serenity. 2025 is the year to embrace the palette that encourages us to slow down, reconnect with nature and hibernate into the quieter, cosier rhythm after the bright chaos of past seasons.

The Meaning of Brown

Laurie Pressman, Vice President of the Pantone Color Institute, said, “Underpinned by our desire for everyday pleasures, PANTONE 17-1230 Mocha Mousse expresses a level of thoughtful indulgence.” Color psychologists have explored how color is able to affect our mood and well-being, and brown is a color that speaks to our innate need for grounding. Psychologically, because of its association with natural materials like wood and soil, the mind associates brown with stability, warmth and security. This evokes a sense of rootedness and connection to the earth, particularly in this digital age. Mocha Mousse subconsciously encourages us to slow down.

Throughout history, brown has often been a staple shade that corresponds with a society's cultural mood. For example, in the 1970s, people wanted to be more eco-conscious, so bohemian brown became the color of the decade. Today, with the rise of mindfulness and slow living, our aesthetic choices want to match our mindset. Mocha Mousse is psychologically calming and restorative, much like the increasing emphasis on wellness practices such as meditation and digital detoxing.

The Runway

Monochromatic brown looks are a staple if you look at the runways of many autumn/winter fashion powerhouses. Ralph Lauren presented an ensemble of layered browns: a Marsha-brown pleated chiffon maxi skirt, a lambskin moto jacket, a matching turtleneck, suede shoes, and a suede handbag. Where an all-grey palette can feel cold, soft brown tones add depth and warmth, making your look inviting and effortlessly sophisticated.

Anthony Vaccarello’s Saint Laurent autumn/winter 2025 collection added a futuristic finesse to the earthy tones, sending models down the runway in sculptural dresses with a vinyl-like sheen. The result reimagines brown as something sleek and avant-garde. Brown isn’t just cosy—it can be bold. Mocha Mousse isn’t holding us back—it can be as forward-thinking as it is comforting.

Pantone was right: Brown is not only the color of the season but also the color of our mindset. Introduce Mocha Mousse into your wardrobe this upcoming autumn and winter to slow you down and give you a grounding, chic look.