Mocha Mousse, Pantone’s 2025 color of the year, promises an exciting year for fashion. With its neutral yet indulging warmth, this shade offers a universal appeal. It is a color that is ideal for Gen Z’s growing love for minimalist designs while also pairing beautifully with bolder color palettes for those seeking more vibrant statement looks.

Darryl Peñaredondo, Fashion stylist and Pageant Trainer

For this article, republicasia interviews Darryl Peñaredondo, a seasoned fashion stylist who has worked with pageant candidates from Bb. Pilipinas and Miss World, to share tips in incorporating Mocha Mousse into our wardrobe. From accessories to use and fabric to go for, Peñaredondo offers his expertise on practical fashion matters. 

General Styling and Trend

It looks like you don’t have to sweat out working the color of the year. Mocha Mousse, it seems, is an effortlessly fashionable color that aligns with the Gen Z aesthetics. 

“In terms of Generation [Z], ‘yung Mocha Mousse, hindi na siya bago sa mga mahilig mag-outfit. For me, ‘yung mood talaga niya, it gives minimal but still elegant vibes. ‘Yung Mocha Mousse, it’s a timeless color. Hindi mahihirapan ‘yung generation natin sa 2025 to use it,” Peñaredondo explained. 

He said that Mocha Mousse’s versatility is due to its compatibility with other colors. 

“Madali siya mag-complement in every places and in every event, kasi ang Mocha Mousse, isa siyang neutralizing color. Kumbaga kahit ilagay mo ‘yan sa red, ilagay mo ‘yan sa blue, ilagay mo ‘yan sa gray, bagay ‘yan. Hindi siya magiging out-of-place. It blends talaga.”

However, despite being easy to wear, styling Mocha Mousse might come as difficult, especially when you’re attending events. It is not only the Mocha Mousse color that you have to take into consideration, but how it also plays in the fabric that you’re using. 

“Puwede ka kasing mag-overdress or mag-underdress,” said Peñaredondo. “My tip is to really know the event you’re going to so you can know what material to use.”

For formal events, Peñaredondo suggests silk and leather. For more casual gatherings, knitted texture, corduroy, and matte Mocha Mousse tops were more advisable. You can also use leather but it is ideal to wear in small doses, like a short leather skirt, for example.

Pairing and Coordination

Mocha Mousse is also easily paired with other neutral colors like black and white. 

“With white, parang mas [prefer] ko ang creamy white na color. Kasi ‘di ba ang shades ng white, merong off-white, creamy white, and talagang pure white. So more on, mas okay siya [Mocha Mousse] into creamy whites.”

But Mocha Mousse is not only limited to neutral colors. It can also be paired with other colors, especially the blues. 

“For bold colors, puwede tayo mag-pair ng pale blue, puwede tayo mag-teal,” said Peñaredondo. 

He even encouraged people to not hesitate to partner it with bolder colors. 

“Kung gusto mo talagang fashionable bold colors, puwedeng golden yellow and burgundy. Pasok na pasok siya sa mocha color.”

Peñaredondo encouraged people to try the pairing of Burgundy and Mocha Mousse. For example, he said, you can use Mocha Mousse for your top and pair it with a Burgundy bottom, like a wide-legged trouser. You can also use Burgundy for the lining of your outfit, to make it pop more and avoid monotony.

“Sa pageants, meron na nga akong moodboard [incorporating] color of the year, at magpapasok ako ng Burgundy talaga. Ang sexy niya tignan pero elegant ‘yung color. Hindi siya super bright, hindi siya out-of-place ‘pag tinignan mo.”

Accessories and Accents

Another way of bringing flavor on your Mocha Mousse outfit is to accessorize it and accent it with different colors. Peñaredondo told people to not be afraid to play with colors. 

“It’s fun to play with colors. For me, if ayaw mo maging monotonous, you can look for accessories or play with your lining. Usually kasi ‘pag lining naman, it’s custom-made naman. If not, you can put over some jackets on your outfit. Then mag-pop out ka ng shoes and ng bags.”

Peñaredondo also highlighted the importance of choosing the right style of ‘cuts’ in our clothes, especially when you’re wearing it plain. 

“My signature is I’m a fan of plain clothes, but I’m doing the cuts. Kunwari, I just wear a plain red dress, pero ‘yung red dress na ‘yun may sleeves or may cuts.”

He also emphasized the importance of pairing your outfit with statement accessories like earrings, bracelets, necklaces and others. 

“If mag-plain ako, gusto ko magpa-pop out ako ng statement earrings, statement accessories. Mag-i-standout talaga siya kasi it looks clean yet its classy. Para siyang look na pinag-isipan talaga.” 

Peñaredondo also added that Mocha Mousse fits the metallic tone accessories perfectly. You just have to avoid some colors like rosegold and white silver to prevent looking a bit washed out. 

Another accessory that might be in trend with Mocha Mousse is the belt.

“Puwede kang mag-belt na Mocha Mousse kasi mabilis mahanap ‘yon. Isa siya sa mga accessories na Mocha Mousse talaga ang color.”

Scarf and neckerchief are also popular in fashion trends.  

“Uso ang scarves ngayon. I think next year, lalabas ang scarves. Puwede kang mag-white, cream, and pastel colors na top kung Mocha Mousse ang scarf mo. Puwede ka rin mag-coat, tapos on top, nakasuot ka ng neckerchief.”

Fashion Inspiration

For fashion inspiration on how to make Mocha Mousse work, Peñaredondo advised people to look in the past, particularly in the vintage fashion of the 1970s.

“Meron akong moodboard na inspired doon sa particular color na ‘yon. When I researched kanina, I saw that it was the YSL Spring Summer Collection of the 1970s. Ito ‘yung mga oversized coats, pants na Mocha Mousse. Also ‘yung His and Hers Styles during the 1970s. ‘Yung top nila ay pasok sa Mocha Mousse.”

He also recommended some celebrities whose fashion people can imitate to adhere with the Mocha Mousse color.

“Si Hailey Bieber, sa kanya ko nakikita ‘yung Mocha Mousse na not too monotonous pero still sexy and elegant sa mga nakikita kong outfits sa kanya. Kahit hindi rin Mocha Mousse ‘yung color ng damit niya, ‘yung style niya, puwede mong gamitin sa color ng Mocha Mousse.”

For local fashion inspiration, Peñaredondo recommended three celebrities.

“First in [the] pageant is Kylie Verzosa. Into minimalist siya eh. And then Nadine Lustre. Kahit sa IG feed niya, mafi-feel mo na hindi puwedeng mawala ang Mocha Mousse sa outfit niya. And then Julia Barretto, during her premiere night [Hold Me Close], she wore a Mocha Mousse attire.”

Mocha Mousse is an inclusive color, fitting different complexions— from fairest to darkest. By incorporating Mocha Mousse into your wardrobe, you can effortlessly blend comfort and sophistication, making it the perfect shade to define your 2025 outfits with elegance and personality.