Pantone has selected “Mocha Mousse,” a soft brown hue, as its Color of the Year for 2025, marking over 25 years of this annual tradition. In a statement released on Thursday, the renowned color authority described Mocha Mousse as a soothing, mellow brown that offers a comforting and sensory warmth.
Pantone described Mocha Mousse, PANTONE 17-1230, as a rich, warm brown that evokes the comforting qualities of cacao, chocolate, and coffee, catering to our need for comfort. Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, explained that the color represents “thoughtful indulgence.” She added that Mocha Mousse is both sophisticated and luxurious, yet unpretentious, transforming the perception of browns from simple and grounded to something more aspirational and elegant.
Laurie Pressman, vice president of the Pantone Color Institute, stated that Mocha Mousse reflects a craving for harmony. She explained that for Pantone’s Color of the Year 2025, the chosen color taps into our need for comfort, wellness, and the enjoyment of simple pleasures that we can share and gift to others.
Each December, Pantone announces its Color of the Year for the upcoming year, marking the 26th time this tradition has taken place. To choose the color, experts at the Pantone Color Institute analyze trends in high fashion, interior design, pop culture, and human psychology. The first Color of the Year, named in 1999, was Sky Blue. More recent selections include Peach Fuzz in 2024, described as a light, fruity shade that evokes peace and serenity, and Viva Magenta in 2023, which was chosen as “an unconventional shade for an unconventional time.”
