Mocha Mousse is more than a color – it’s a rich, warm, indulgent mood that’s on trend and sure to make our wardrobes (and our world) a little more delicious.
“Warm brown shades, ranging from rich chocolates to soft mochas, have been trending in apparel, particularly within the athleisure, loungewear and accessories categories,” says Liz Tracy, senior product designer at PCNA, the No. 3 supplier in the PPAI 100. “This shift aligns with the enduring ‘quiet luxury’ trend that emerged in 2023.”
Consumers are moving away from cooler, sterile color palettes toward warmer, more nurturing hues that evoke a sense of comfort and familiarity, she adds. “Mocha Mousse embodies this desire for a sense of calm and a deeper connection to nature, a concept linked to stress reduction and relaxation.”
Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2025 captures the cultural zeitgeist with its comforting, nostalgic and luxurious qualities, blending simplicity with richness. The Pantone Color Institute describes Mocha Mousse as “a mellow brown infused with a sensorial and comforting warmth. A warming, rich brown hue, PANTONE 17-1230 nurtures with its suggestion of the delectable quality of chocolate and coffee, appealing to our desire for comfort.”
Tara Dwyer
Project Director, ETS Express
Mocha Mousse is already making positive waves in the promo industry. “This hue instantly sparks a desire to cozy up in comfort,” says Tara Dwyer, project director at ETS Express, a California-based supplier, “bringing you to a comfortable and calming place and even takes us back to fond memories in the kitchen with our loved ones.”
Soft browns like Mocha Mousse offer versatility. “These shades serve as a sophisticated canvas that allows brand logos to stand out with sharp clarity and refined contrast, elevating the look and value of promo products,” Tracy says.
This new hue aligns with current and emerging trends in fashion and consumer products, showing a shift toward quiet luxury and earthy palettes. “Brown is an incredibly identifiable color with an immense multicultural range,” says Fernanda Larriva, marketing director at ETS Express. “Mocha Mousse is easy to incorporate into wardrobes, home goods and designs, so it’ll hit the mark for people who like those earthy, natural palettes.”
- The new Pantone Color of the Year is versatile across many product categories, from fashion and outerwear to hard goods and popular promo items.
“Rich yet muted earthy shades – each one varies in names from vendor to vendor, but rooted in tan, bone and off-white, and stone blue – entered the space in fleece and outerwear, such as overcoats and matching fleece sets and continue to layer in, especially within the heavyweight tee category for 2025,” says Christina Marcantelli, sales enablement manager at S&S Activewear, PPAI 100’s No. 5 supplier.
Christina Marcantelli
Sales Enablement Manager, S&S Activewear
Following the rise of muted earthy tones in fleece and outerwear, Mocha Mousse’s versatile richness fits seamlessly into these color stories. “Mocha Mousse’s decadent richness, yet agreeable tone, not only complements earthy grounding color stories, but can be added to just about anyone’s wardrobe if not already,” Marcantelli says.
- Larriva predicts Mocha Mousse will thrive in outerwear and accessories, including jackets, scarves and bags.
- She notes that sneakers from brands like Puma and Adidas, like the Speedcat and Samba, already feature similar shades.
“Mocha Mousse isn’t limited to soft goods,” Tracy says. “It offers a distinctive, elevated aesthetic in hard goods as well. From notebook covers to pen finishes and drinkware accents, Mocha Mousse lends a rich, natural elegance that enhances a variety of materials.”
The hue appeals to consumers across industries due to its luxurious, grounding qualities and ability to evoke comfort and stability. “For distributors, a great way to pitch this color is by showing how versatile and organic it is,” Dwyer says. “Including lifestyle photos or mood boards in decks and pairing them with textures or complementary colors will be key for clients to see how well they work in different contexts.”
Marcantelli predicts that the universal use of Mocha Mousse will make this the most popular Pantone pick of the last several years. “This hue evokes a richness of luxury and comfort and transcends all markets and industries.”
Now that you know why Mocha Mousse will be huge in 2025, check out apparel, accessories and other products in the earthy hue.
The Boxercraft Women’s Cuddle Cardigan (shown in Espresso Heather) is the perfect lightweight layering piece with a stylish oversized fit. This longer-length cardigan is crafted from a soft viscose/polyester/spandex blend and features an open front, front pockets and a rounded hem.
S&S Activewear / PPAI 256121, Platinum / ssactivewear.com
The Gildan Softstyle Midweight Hooded Sweatshirt (shown in Savana Brown) are made from ring-spun cotton/polyester and feature a cozy, brushed interior with a 100% cotton face. The hoodie includes a color-matched hood, dropped shoulder, pouch pocket and ribbed cuffs, while the sweatpants offer a tapered fit with slanted pockets and an elastic waistband and cuffs.
S&S Activewear / PPAI 256121, Platinum / ssactivewear.com
Crafted from a sublimated print fabric made of 100% recycled polyester, the Imperial Outtasite Cap (shown in Frog Skin Camo/brown) offers moisture management and antimicrobial properties. Featuring a sporty structured six-panel design, mid-profile fit and woven rope detail, it also includes a pre-curved visor with a Frost Grey undervisor and snapback closure.
S&S Activewear / PPAI 256121, Platinum / ssactivewear.com
The Women’s Hardy Eco Jacket (shown in Bark) combines recycled materials, a flattering fit and lightweight weather protection for year-round style and comfort.
PCNA / PPAI 113079, Platinum / pcna.com
The Men’s Hardy Eco Vest (shown in Bark) combines sustainable style with functionality, featuring recycled polyester, a PFC-free water-resistant coating, cozy sherpa lining and secure storage pockets. Lightweight and versatile, it’s perfect for chilly or rainy days.
PCNA / PPAI 113079, Platinum / pcna.com
The Wave Recycled Insulated Outdoor Blanket (shown in brown) is lightweight, water-resistant and insulated for warmth, unfolding to a spacious 50” x 60”. The blanket includes a pouch for essentials carried with a front pocket.
PCNA / PPAI 113079, Platinum / pcna.com
People can coordinate their Mocha Mousse ensemble with the 14-oz. stainless steel Ember Mug (shown in Sandstone). This mug, with a reinforced matte coating, has added features like temperature control, a built-in battery and a smart LED light.
ETS Express / PPAI 135148, Platinum / etsexpress.com
The HydroJug Traveler Sport (shown in Autumn Oak) is a stainless-steel thermal tumbler with copper vacuum insulation, a threaded lid, a matching flip-up spout, a soft straw, a carrying handle and a powder-coated finish.
ETS Express / PPAI 135148, Platinum / etsexpress.com
