DorEm Answers

Dear Dorigen,

After over a year, I’m still figuring out how to best navigate life as a Soft Autumn.

Muted earth tones are very hard to find outside of a sandy beach. Like, when picturing a brown shirt, you may think of a deep, rich chocolate or a warm, sophisticated cinnamon. Now take that clean top off the hanger and throw it directly in the middle of any beach. Let the elements and wildlife take hold: sun bleaching, sand muck, various species of urine, “accidents.” After a year, this once brown garment will arrive at a shade of dusky filth that’ll make my olive skin glow. Soft Autumn is the post-apocalyptic glamour.

Thankfully, the lovely folks at Pantone have removed these extra, unsanitary steps by releasing their 2025 Color of the Year: Mocha Mousse 17-1230. I feel seen.

Perhaps in the coming year, we’ll see groutfits morph into moussefits or we’ll just throw on anything with an Ugg boot.

Will you attempt this of-the-moment mousy couture colour?

Love,

Em

P.S. Mocha Mousse is just beige, right?

P.P.S. Pete and I only just learned the term “groutfit” during a conversation with a newly informed dad.