Pantone Color Of The Year 2025 : Mocha Mousse, The Go-To Shade For Fashion And Beauty

This year on 5th December, Pantone revealed 'Mocha Mousse' (PANTONE 17-1230) as its Colour of the Year for 2025, and honestly, it's the kind of shade you can't help but love. This warm, cosy brown feels like a comforting hug, think rich chocolate, fresh coffee, and everything indulgent rolled into one. Looks like comfort is officially in style.

What Is Pantone Color Of The Year?

Pantone, better known as Pantone Matching System (PMS) is a color guide used across industries like fashion, graphic design, and printing. It helps manage color from the design stage all the way to production, whether it's for digital or physical products, and works across different materials like cotton, nylon, and plastics.

Simply put, it's the go-to system for getting color just right. Each year, Pantone names a color to dominate the trend scene. Some picks hit the mark, like when they chose "Big Tech blue" just before the pandemic pushed us all into the digital world. Then there are those picks that miss the mark, like "peach fuzz" this year.

For 2025, though, Pantone has chosen mocha mousse, a rich, mellow brown that Laurie Pressman, VP of the Pantone Color Institute, describes as a hue that "embodies comfort, warmth, and a desire for simple pleasures to share with others."

Mocha Mousse is all about low-key luxury, proving you don't need to shout to make a statement. With subtle hints of roasted cacao and burnt orange, it's a shade that works everywhere, from makeup looks to your wardrobe. Let's see how.

Slay Your Makeup Game With Mocha Mousse

Photo Credit: Image is AI-generated

Perfectly Pouty In Mocha

Mocha-toned lipsticks or glosses are the ultimate multitaskers. They add a polished yet understated touch to any look, working beautifully across all skin tones. Pair it with a hint of gloss for a fresh, dewy finish, or layer it with a darker liner for a bold, defined pout. Whether you're keeping it simple or going all out, Mocha Mousse is the perfect neutral that transitions effortlessly from day to night.

Smokey Eyes, But Make It Mocha

Mocha Mousse makes the perfect base for smokey eyes. Its muted brown tones are versatile, go matte for soft daytime definition or amp it up with metallics like bronze or champagne for a sultry evening look. Whether it's a subtle all-over lid colour or a crease shade for depth, this hue blends like a dream.

Bronze It Up With Mocha-Inspired Contours

A mocha-toned bronzer can do wonders for natural warmth and soft sculpting. It strikes the perfect balance, adding contour without overwhelming your features. For fair to medium skin tones, its warm undertone frames the face seamlessly, creating a fresh, sun-kissed glow that works effortlessly with any makeup style.

Monochrome Magic With Mocha Mousse

Why stop at one feature? Use Mocha Mousse across your lips, eyes, and cheeks for a cohesive monochromatic look. It's earthy, contemporary, and endlessly chic, perfect for those who love a clean, neutral aesthetic with a modern twist.

Natural Brows, Elevated

This soft brown shade mimics natural brow tones, making it ideal for filling in sparse areas or adding subtle definition. It's a polished yet understated way to elevate your everyday makeup while keeping things looking natural.

Cheeky Glow: Mocha for the Win

On the cheeks, a mocha blush brings a soft, earthy warmth that mimics the natural flush of sun-kissed skin. Whether you're going for a fresh-faced look or something a bit more polished, it's a perfect match for that radiant glow.

Nail It With Mocha Mousse

Adding Mocha Mousse to your nail routine is an effortless way to bring a touch of elegance to your look. Choose from a variety of shades like candy-brown for a warm, natural elegance, to a suede-like brown between beige and khaki for a soft, earthy finish. The darker mocha, with its brownish-red mocha undertones, gives a glossy, rich finish, while whipped chocolate mousse provides a dreamy, creamy indulgence.

Photo Credit: Image is AI-generated

Espresso swirl mixes deep brown and coffee tones for a decadent look, and taupe offers a sophisticated, light brown that's perfect for a creamy manicure. Chestnut, a warm, rich brown with a subtle hint of burgundy, is ideal for fall, allowing each shade to bring its own vibe and effortlessly complement any outfit with a polished, refined finish.

Ace Every Look In Mocha Mousse

Mocha Mousse works for every season and every occasion. Whether it's a bold summer statement or a cosy winter pick, this rich brown hue fits right in. It has a certain ability to adapt effortlessly to every occasion you are part of, whether you're curating a wedding trousseau, packing for a tropical getaway, or dressing to impress at a boardroom meeting. Here are some celebrities who have donned the shade in their own way.

Priyanka Chopra Rocks The Rich Colour In Style

Priyanka Chopra rocked a striking leather outfit in this shade for an ad shoot. With its edgy choker neckline, sculpted fit, asymmetric detailing, and one-shoulder flair, the ensemble was the epitome of fierce and fashionable.

Photo Credit: https://www.instagram.com/priyankachopra

Alia Bhatt's Show-Stopping Couture Look

Alia Bhatt,brought drama and elegance to the table with a Gaurav Gupta gown courtesy the Paris Couture Week. The gown, drenched in Mocha Mousse, featured a daring strapless neckline, intricate swirl appliques on the skirt, a structured corset bodice, and paired flawlessly with sleek leggings and towering heels. It was a look straight out of a modern fairytale.

Photo Credit: https://www.instagram.com/aliaabhatt

Deepika Padukone's Preppy-Chic Twist

Deepika Padukone effortlessly elevated casual fashion with her mousse-toned sweater vest layered over an oversized shirt. Paired with brown-hued trousers, this look was the perfect mix of laid-back and luxe, ideal for a day out or a chic work ensemble.

Photo Credit: https://www.instagram.com/deepikapadukone

Tara Sutaria's Retro Elegance

Tara Sutaria made a statement in a monochromatic brown blazer set that exuded power and sophistication. The added charm of a retro-inspired scarf brought an extra layer of vintage glam, proving that earthy tones are perfect for nailing classic-meets-contemporary style.

Photo Credit: https://www.instagram.com/tarasutaria

Ananya Panday's Head-Turning Glam Quotient

Ananya Panday kept things glamorous yet playful in a figure-hugging dress with sheer panelling, a mermaid-inspired silhouette, and just the right touch of sparkle. It's the kind of outfit that turns heads without even trying.

Photo Credit: https://www.instagram.com/ananyapanday

Katrina Kaif And Shilpa Shetty Make Festive Fashion Timeless

Mocha Mousse isn't limited to Western wear either. Katrina Kaif showed us how to infuse this shade into traditional Indian outfits with her gorgeous Sabyasachi lehenga at a Diwali party.

Photo Credit: https://www.instagram.com/katrinakaif

The deep brown set included an intricately embellished blouse, a delicate net dupatta adorned with stunning kadhai work, and a flowy, multi-panel skirt that oozed festive charm.

And if you're looking for a bridal moment, imagine walking to the mandap in a Mocha Mousse lehenga. Whether it's a dazzling sequined number for a sangeet or Shilpa Shetty's minimalist satin saree, this shade has the power to steal the spotlight and make a lasting impression.

Photo Credit: https://www.instagram.com/theshilpashetty

Conclusion

The Colour of the year 2025, Mocha Mousse effortlessly pairs with a range of colours to create standout looks. Whether combined with creamy whites for a soft contrast, olive greens for a grounded touch, burnt orange for a warm accent, or a brown-on-brown ensemble for a refined, monochromatic effect, this versatile shade brings an effortless elegance to any ensemble. It's the ideal choice for elevating your outfit with a sophisticated yet subtle finish.

Read more about: beauty fashion pantone