Every December, once the annual excitement over Spotify Wrapped has settled down, we all turn to Pantone for its colour of the year announcement. The annual reveal shapes the fashion world, inspiring the catwalks, street style and our wardrobes for the year ahead. For 2025, the leading shade is ‘mocha mousse’, a warm and inviting brown hue.

You might think brown is boring, especially with the rise of bright hues like Barbiecore pink and Brat green. But mocha mousse is anything but dull. Leatrice Eiseman, Pantone’s executive director, calls it “sophisticated and lush, yet an unpretentious classic”.

Much like slow-drip coffee, the muted colour trend has been gradually brewing over the past few seasons, with designer labels such as The Row, Khaite, Toteme, Max Mara and Prada featuring shades of light espresso, milky beige and creamy mochaccino.

Kitty Fuller, founder and designer at Kitty Joyas jewellery, found the perfect match in these shades for her colorful enamel jewellery collection. She tells Stylist: “Mocha brown feels like such a chic colour to wear and is hugely complemented by warm yellow gold. There is something so effortless about it.”

Katie Karayiannis, a fashion communications specialist, agrees: “This shade is a nod to the power of neutrals. It’s a great alternative to black and can act as a tonal anchor to build multiple versatile outfits from.”

So, how do you wear this trending shade? Like its sibling chocolate brown, mocha mousse pairs effortlessly with neutrals (see the above image from Max Mara spring/summer 2025 collection). But Pantone suggests it complements brighter colours, like cornflower blue, lavender and rose pink – a palette we’re excited to try.

Keep scrolling to see Stylist’s round-up of the best mocha mousse styles to shop on the high street now – just be careful of any spillages.

Images: Getty; courtesy of brands