The Pantone Color of the Year: Does it Really Matter?

Color Analysis, Fashion

Every year, Pantone announces their Color of the Year, and it’s like a peek into the collective mood of the moment. For 2025, they’ve chosen Mocha Mousse—a warm, rich brown that’s as cozy as your favorite latte and as grounding as chocolate. According to the Pantone website, the “selection of Mocha Mousse as the Color of the Year 2025 reflects a global mood of connection, comfort, and harmony.”

Pantone calls it “sophisticated, earthy elegance,” and while I love the cozy-meets-luxe vibes, I couldn’t resist diving deeper into how this hue plays out in real life—especially when it comes to your style.

The Truth About “Trend” Colors:

While Pantone’s choice undoubtedly influences fashion, home decor, and even product design, it’s crucial to remember that true style is personal.

My Controversial Take:

Frankly, I believe the emphasis on any single “Color of the Year” can be misleading. As an image coach, it’s not about blindly following a trend, but about understanding how colors interact with your unique coloring and personality. When I work with clients I always recommend a Color Analysis.

The Power of Personal Color Analysis:

A personal color analysis helps you discover which colors:

Make you look radiant: They harmonize with your skin tone, hair, and eye color, making you appear more vibrant and youthful.
Boost your confidence: When you wear colors that flatter you, you naturally feel more comfortable and self-assured.
Simplify your wardrobe: By understanding your best colors, you can build a streamlined wardrobe that always looks amazing.

Mocha Mousse: A Case Study

Mocha Mousse, the Pantone Color of the Year 2025, serves as an excellent case study in the importance of personal color analysis. While this warm, rich brown might evoke feelings of comfort and sophistication, its impact on individuals will vary significantly. Mocha Mousse might be a beautiful color, but it’s not universally flattering.

Those with warm undertones, such as golden skin, auburn hair, and green or hazel eyes, may find Mocha Mousse to be incredibly flattering. It can enhance their natural radiance and create a harmonious overall look.

However, for individuals with cool undertones, such as fair skin, blue or ash-blonde hair, and blue or green eyes, Mocha Mousse might appear dull or even drain their complexion. In such cases, wearing this color close to the face could make them appear washed out or tired. This highlights the crucial role of understanding your unique coloring and selecting colors that complement your natural features.

These are yeses to the skin tones and hair colors that relate to this color

These Skin tones and hair colors do not relate to the Pantone color

If you have warm coloring: This rich brown might be a stunning accent in your wardrobe.
If you have cool coloring: It could wash you out and make you look tired.