Mocha Mousse as Color of the Year - Dull or Delish?

I'm a big fan of Ken Nordine.

When I was in my mid 20s, there was a period of time in which I'd put his album Colors on shuffle every morning and get dressed in (or sew) an outfit based on the first few hues that played.

On the album, one of my favorites is "Brown." The lyrics go as follows:

Among purists (and you know how many purists there are),

Brown was having some difficulty.

Some of the purists wanted brown to be more...

Others wanted brown to be more...

Still others wanted brown to be...

To be basically brown.

Yeah, a lesser color might have fallen apart,

But brown met the problem beautifully

By becoming just about as basic,

Just about as subtle

As you can just about get.

That's why you hear so many people saying,

“My, that’s a subtle brown.”

That's the way it's been ever since.

Even with a light tan,

Or sweet dark chocolate,

Or deep brown eyes...

Next time you see brown,

Any shade, remember:

"Subtle, basic brown."

In December 2024, the color consulting behemoth Pantone announced that 17-1230-TCX, or Mocha Mousse, would be its 2025 Color of the Year.

Mocha Mousse marks the first time that Pantone has selected a shade of brown for Color of the Year honors. It's a shade of beige that is decidedly indulgent. The color is characterized by its soft, inviting, smooth cocoa hue with warm undertones, like a frothy cup full of Mexican hot chocolate. Pantone's intent was to convey a color palette of cozy opulence.

But even a shade as subtle and basic as Mocha Mousse has been the center of debate. As with every year, there are ample numbers of detractors who feel that Pantone is out of touch. Others feel that it's too dull. Some color curators have gone so far as to rename it "Sad Beige."

Of course, Pantone's Color of the Year includes palette guidance for fashion, décor, cosmetics, and consumer products, so it's not just a question of if Mocha Mousse should be in your closet. Definitely, the color has been a hit with beauty brands since it's a rich neutral brown that complements many skin tones. A lot of interior decorators are liking it, too, as gray is becoming passé for furnishing homes.

At Ellesby Fabric, you'll find lots of brown solids and prints in a variety of materials. If you want to add some Mocha Mousse to your stash, I recommend the solid Fawn and Beige shades of our 100% silk charmeuse or silk chiffon. Fawn provides a ruddy tone that is warmer than Beige. For crinkle georgette, we have a shade called Cocoa Powder. If you're looking for a subtle unisex print, check out the Mocha Mousse stripe silk jersey.

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What are your feelings about Mocha Mousse? Is it too dull for you or do you think it's a delectable brown?