Wait, That Wasn’t a Trend!?: Spotting the Difference Between Trends and Fads
You submit an assignment for a particular class a few days late just once, but you swear it’s an accident. The next week, another task is assigned and your mistake happens again, so you hope your teacher brushes it off as a coincidence. By the third week, however, it’s no longer just a simple mess-up; submitting your assignments a few days late is beginning to turn into a trend.
The word “trending” is often thrown around in conversations, on social media, and even in news headlines. Wherever you go, you’re bound to hear talk about something trending, whether it’s a new dance challenge on Tiktok, a new catchphrase circulating on Instagram Reels (seriously, what does 67 even mean!?), or a new aesthetic making its rounds across different media platforms. However, not everything that’s trending is actually a trend. In fact, many of the things we label as “trends” are something else entirely: fads.
So, what is a fad? A fad is something with a fleeting burst of popularity. Fads capture mass attention seemingly overnight, and then fade away just as quickly. Fads tend to be superficial, often driven by hype, novelty, or social media virality rather than lasting value. Fads usually serve a social purpose for a short time, offering entertainment, status, or a sense of belonging. Once the freshness wears off or a new fad takes its place, people move on. Think of them like fireworks; they’re bright and exciting, but short-lived.
A trend, on the other hand, has a certain robustness. It develops more slowly, gaining traction over time, and often reflects deeper shifts in culture, values, or technology. Trends influence long-term behavior and can shape industries or lifestyles. Trends evolve. They might start small, often in niche communities, before gradually becoming part of mainstream life. Unlike fads, trends tend to leave a lasting impact. If a fad is like a firework, a trend is like a snowball rolling down a hill. It starts small, but as it gathers momentum, it grows larger and more powerful over time.
Fads and trends often look similar in their early stages, as they both gain rapid popularity, dominate social media, and create a lot of buzz, but they are different in terms of their lifespan and the depth of change they bring. Understanding the difference between these two isn’t just for semantics, though. Trends and fads can shape how people spend, consume, and even live. Knowing the difference can help individuals make smarter choices, especially when it comes to fashion, technology, or lifestyle decisions.
Remember the whole slime craze back in elementary? All that slime-making is an example of a fleeting fetish—a fad. How many items of MUJI stationery do you own? MUJI is a prominent brand that focuses on minimalism—that’s a trend. Investing in a true and worthwhile trend can lead to innovation and growth, while chasing fads may lead to wasted time. Recognizing which is which can help consumers navigate this new fast-paced world more wisely.
So, the next time you’re tempted to buy the latest “must-have” product or try a new lifestyle hack, ask yourself: is this a moment or a movement?
