Fad or trend? What’s the diff?

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There are a number of industries whose survival depends on recognizing the difference between a fad and a trend. A fad by definition is a short-term event, what some might call a “fire pan.” A trend, on the other hand, has the potential to become a long-term influence on the future of a market. At first the two may look alike, but there is almost always a definite beginning and end to a fad. Using hot pink wall paint may be a fad, but the idea of ​​using designer colors would be a trend, for example.

One of the main differences between a fad and a trend is the duration. A fad product, like the 1970s Pet Rock, enjoys a few months of unexpected popularity, but it disappears as quickly as it appears. The creator of the Pet Rock, a large stone set in its own cardboard cage, understood the easy going nature of a fad and capitalized on the public’s penchant for innovative toys. The lifespan of most fads is notoriously short, but if a fad becomes a trend, it can remain popular for decades.

Some say the difference between a fad and a trend is the number of industries it affects. A fad often appears in a single industry and rarely crosses over into others. The 1980s fashion of parachute pants, pants made of a thin nylon material, did not become an accepted element of youth culture or music culture. The recent introduction of Apple’s iPod®, on the other hand, has entered the world of fashion, wireless communications and music. Portable electronic devices have become a trend, while fads like leg warmers or parachute pants remain hopelessly trapped in time.

Another difference is industry acceptance. Investing in a fashion item can be risky for companies known for setting trends. It can be very difficult to tell one from the other before the product or service reaches the buying public. Smaller companies often have the flexibility to promote a bizarre item, while larger companies tend to wait until the initial smoke clears and a trend can be determined.

This difference can be seen in the recent diet wars. When scientific evidence showed a link between high carbohydrate intake and weight gain, a variety of trendy diet plans quickly emerged. While ditching processed foods and carbohydrates quickly became a trend, the individual diet plans involved have all enjoyed fleeting popularity.

A similar difference between a fad and a trend has also appeared in the fitness industry. The emphasis on core exercises and belly fat reduction has become a trend, but a series of bizarre exercise devices have suddenly appeared on TV screens everywhere. Some of these exercise devices have proven to be ineffective or even dangerous to the user, while others have joined the trend towards better health and weight reduction. One of the significant differences between a fad and a trend is the perception of the overall quality. Fashion items are rarely expected to last, but trends tend to live on for the decade in which they were created.

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