Mocha Mousse has been declared the 2025 ‘Color of the Year’ by the Pantone Color Institute. The soft, rich brown is the follow-up to 2024’s equally muted choice, Peach Fuzz, and is said to evoke feelings of luxury.

It is on the opposite side of the spectrum from ‘brat green,’ the unofficial color of summer thanks to Charli XCX’s hit album.

According to the Pantone team, Mocha Mousse marks the first time a brown hue has been chosen since they started naming colors in 1999.

The choice is based on research into fashion, design, travel, and art trends. This year’s pick fits right in with the rich chocolate browns and deep burgundies that have dominated fashion runways in the past year.

"Sophisticated and lush, yet at the same time an unpretentious classic, PANTONE 17-1230 Mocha Mousse extends our perceptions of browns from being humble and grounded to embracing aspirational and luxe," said Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute.

Makeup brands and designers are quick to jump on the trend, putting forward products in the nougaty shade.

The announcement was met with mixed reviews on the web, ranging from "it’s giving feelings of comfort" to "it’s the color of muddled paint."

What do you think about this color?