Fad vs Trend
Fads and trends are perceptible changes in behaviors that can be seen or felt among a large section of the population with the behavior being followed with enthusiasm for some time. If the behavior of a person, whether it pertains to his attire, use of jewelry, tattoos, music, shoes, hairstyle, or just about anything that can be seen or heard by others is perceived as novel and interesting by others and catches on to be followed by a large section of the population, it can be a fad or a trend. There are people who use the words interchangeably as if they were synonymous. However, there are some differences between the two that will be highlighted in this article.
Fad
If you are a retailer in the fashion industry selling fashionable items such as garments and other accessories, it is important for you to know the difference between a fad and a trend for successful inventory management. If pink color suddenly comes in vogue and all people start to make use of this color in various products they use, it is termed as a fad that lasts only for a season or two as people get over this craze. A fad is a craze for something that could be anything from a Stoll to earrings to a hat to a particular music. If you remember what happened with the trucker hat during 2001-2003 or the Rubik’s cube, you can understand what is meant by a fad. It is hard to describe the charisma or appeal of a fad as no one knows from where it comes. The craze is, however, phenomenal but totally unpredictable as nobody is sure about its longevity. Here now, gone tomorrow is what applies to a fad. It would be better to term it as a flash in the pan. For most people, it is fun to be a part of the craze, and they feel good not only to use the fad, but also give it to others for the purpose of gift.
Trend
A trend is something that is in vogue or something that is in. Hear the title song Encore from the latest album of Dr. Dre and you would understand the difference between a fad and a trend. The singer describes himself as a trend that is always in while he refers to the other person as a fad that is experienced once and cannot come back once experienced. Trends are shifts in behaviors that are more or less permanent and not a blip on the culture. Trends become seeds of change and part of a lifestyle. They meet the needs of consumers and their behaviors to last for a very long time.
What is the difference between Fad and Trend?
• Fads have a tremendous fan following but last much less than a trend.
• Fads are experienced once, but they do not come back. On the other hand, trends, as they meet consumer needs and behaviors, become a part of the culture and lifestyle and thus last a very long time.
• Pet Rock was a fad that came and went away. On the other hand, trends, even when they become less popular, get morphed and change into other forms.
• For the retailers, it is better to move away from stocking and purchasing a fad item once it is down the hill.