Every year there is a hue that rules the fashion scene, this week You! takes a look at how the Pantone colour of the year, Mocha Mousse, inspires new styles…
beauty
Imagine walking into a café on a chilly evening, the aroma of the freshly brewed coffee mixed with the smells wafting from chocolatey baked goods engulf your senses… rich, warm and inviting.
And, that’s the tone Pantone is setting up for 2025 with its colour of the year: Mocha Mousse.
According to the Global Colour Authority, Pantone, the colour “nurtures us with its suggestion of the delectable qualities of chocolate and coffee, answering our desire for comfort.”
The simplicity of this colour oozes with versatility and elegance. Universally flattering to all, the “warming, brown hue imbued with richness” will complement a wide range of palettes.
Last year’s shade, Peach Fuzz, also followed a similar theme as it represented an “innate yearning for closeness and connection.” This year, You! takes the neutral yet trendy shade to inspire style choices in makeup and wardrobe…
Dig out all your nude lipsticks, bronzy, smokey eyeshade palettes, we’re calling back the ’90s again. Not only is this hue the most accessible in the makeup department, there are plenty of multi-use products out there which our wallets and bank accounts will be grateful for.
Cushion foundations are making a comeback, thanks to Korean beauty trends. If you have the perfect shade, they work well during all seasons, and they usually have buildable coverage which you can adjust according to your needs.
When it comes to sculpting, we’ll not be going heavy on the ashy shades of contour, instead a warm-toned bronzer to lightly define your cheekbones, jawline, and temples is enough to achieve a snatched look. Use a peachy blush and a champagne highlight to finish off the face.
Now, for the eyes, let’s be honest, smokey eyes never really go out of fashion. There is just something alluring about a dark brown smokey eye that will just keep you coming back to it again and again.
While you can get creative with how to do your eyes, here’s a basic outline of how you can create a smokey eye in less than three minutes. First, sweep a soft cream-coloured shadow over your lid as a base and then grab a dark brown eye pencil and create a little thick winged liner. The wing doesn’t have to be perfect but don’t make it too big. Take a small blending brush and lightly blend it out and take it into your crease slightly. Use a champagne highlight and apply it lightly on the top of the lid. And, voila, your smokey eye is done.
This shade empowers you to create moments of luxury that may be intimate in scale but can also exude a sense of indulgence.
If you want to wear this colour as a standalone, it will work in any kind of setting, formal or casual. A figure-hugging dress along or a plain shalwaar kameez, you cannot go wrong with any cut here.
For a more unique casual look, there are a number of combinations that we can create. If we look at the Pantone-recommended palette, whites, greys, blues, pinks and purples pair best. This trendy yet neutral comforting brown will harmonise these shades into something brilliant.
A plain shalwaar kameez or a simple shirt paired with any of the accents mentioned above will compliment you. Floral or printed will also be a nice option to create a trendy look.
If you want to invest in an all-rounder party wear, you are in luck. Choose a heavily embroidered two-piece outfit in Mocha Mousse – ideally a smart-fit shirt with culottes. This could actually turn out to be a game changer for the wedding season. You can make at least 10 different outfits from this one dress alone.
You can wear the outfit as is and choose a vibrant dupatta to add a little pizazz. If you are looking to dress down, wear the embroidered culottes and pair it with a plain smart-fit shirt with a dupatta. From dark colours to pastel shades, the possibilities are endless when it comes to experimenting.
’Tis the time for the brunettes to shine. If you think that there is just a boring old brown colour, prepare to be amazed.
There are some very dreamy hair trends that you can take up, which will not only complement your face, but it will also work for any kind of look you’re going for – from edgy to chic and everything in between.
A flattering mix of deep chocolate brown mixed with lighter tones will be perfect to accentuate a layered cut or beachy waves. If you have dark hair, you can just opt for highlights in caramel and some mocha to offer a nice transition. A few strands with deep violet in your lowlights could offer a nice contrast.
Another way to colour your hair is that you try a balayage effect by blending tones of mocha and transition to a chestnut hue, if you are warm-toned, or an ash brown, if you are cool-toned. Loose and bouncy waves would work best with this style.
For short-haired girlies, from long layered to pixie bobs, a touch of mocha to your choppy layers would really bring out the cut of your hair.
Attention to detail is sexy, which is why a manicure has the power to pull your whole look together. The best part about Mocha Mousse is that it has the ability to stand out on its own. It’s simple, sophisticated which is why it’s not only suitable for a business meeting but also when you are flaunting your look at your bestie’s wedding.
Also, the best part is that you can pretty much find a similar shade in any brand at any price range. So, simply head to your local market and grab your shade and paint away.
You can even try a French manicure style - paint your nails with your chosen shade of Mocha and then paint the tips with white. Viola, your luxurious manicure is sorted.
Harmonise your accessories
When we talk of accessories, we are not just limited to the same old shades of brown and beige in bags and shoes. We will be using Mocha Mousse as a foundation and use the accessories to build a nice colour story with our style.
Pantone suggests hues similar to olive green, lilacs, powder blue and dusky pinks, which will work with 2025’s colour.
If we are choosing a brown-hued outfit, our accessories can add the much-needed oomph it needs. When it comes to bags, think floral and match it with your shoes. For your jewellery, gold and rose gold appears to be a natural choice. Mix and match with any coloured stone of your choice and it will work. However, that doesn’t mean we can’t incorporate silver. Choose a more oxidised version of silver with stones like emeralds, garnets and sapphires, they will work best with any style.
