Is Pantone's Color of the Year Fashion's Yearly Horoscope?

In the past, fashion has taken a back seat to loud, eye-catching styles fueled by social media-think chunky gold jewelry, neon colors, and layered maximalist looks. We can also see this vibrancy in the past two shades of the Pantone Color of the Year: Viva Magenta and Peach Fuzz. The two pinks drive a bold, celebratory mood.  But now with Mocha Mousse, what was once a loud, vivid landscape may give way to the onset of beiges and nudes. The tameness of this hue leads to thoughts of much more subtle and calm aesthetics. Not very surprising, considering the rise of the Quiet Luxury trend, which might have steered Pantone to such a more stable and firm earth color. Quiet Luxury is about craftsmanship and timelessness. The consumer invests in quality over quantity and in long-lasting, well-made clothes rather than the compulsive buying of trending pieces. It fosters a more conscious consumer. But what does Mocha Mousse reveal about our upcoming 2025?

While not quite as vivacious as 2023’s Viva Magenta, Mocha Mousse offers respite and solace from uncertain times. People might go to their closets this year in search of a calmer look that cocoons themselves from the world outside. Hence, a minimalist wardrobe. I compare the Pantone color of the year to the concept of horoscopes since the process of determining either one is rather similar. An astrologist will look to the sun, moon, and planets for positioning and their alignment to predict what’s in store. Meanwhile, Pantone studies cultural shifts, fashion trends, and zeitgeist to come up with the Color of the Year. What is evident is that fashion has this interesting way of reflecting society at large, usually resulting in people dressing in a way that is opposite to how they feel. It begs the question: Did Pantone choose such a warm neutral to balance the craziness that’s coming with this year?