Trends, Staples, Fads.

Trends can remain relevant for years, building popularity slowly and maintaining their appeal. Fads, on the other hand, come and go quickly, gaining a lot of attention for a short period. Meanwhile, staples are timeless pieces that are often confused with trends. So, how do you differentiate between the three? And how can we tell what’s truly timeless fashion versus another fleeting trend cycling through?

Written by Mia Holton

Shortened Fashion Cycles.

Social media has dramatically shortened the traditional fashion cycle from months to weeks—or even days. This makes it incredibly difficult to differentiate long-term trends from short-lived fads. Social media algorithms prioritize new content, pushing users to constantly showcase something fresh. This results in a seemingly never-ending cycle of micro-fads—styles that dominate the feed for a short while but don’t have staying power. In the rush to keep up, it’s hard to tell what’s genuinely gaining traction as a trend and what’s just temporarily “trending” online.  Additionally, influencers often wear outfits from fast fashion brands, which rapidly replicate runway looks or viral styles. Because influencers are constantly showing off new outfits, it tends to make fads appear more significant than they are. As a result, people react quickly, mistaking temporary styles for long-term trends.

Eco Chambers

Social media algorithms show users content similar to what they already engage with, creating echo chambers. In these spaces, users repeatedly see the same styles, which can create the illusion that a style is a full-blown trend. In reality, it’s just a popular topic dominating their specific feed. From your perspective, it may look like a global phenomenon, but in reality, it could just be a niche trend within your online bubble.

True Fashion Staples.

Fashion staples are hard to miss and nearly impossible to ignore. There’s an instant timelessness about these classic pieces—they stand the test of time and look flattering on almost anyone, regardless of age, decade, or current trends. Classics are forever. I won’t be basic and use the little black dress as an example because, honestly, everyone should know that by now. Something I’ve noticed on every viral TikTok that tells you what to wear for fall 2024 is the mention of suede and leather as "huge trends" for the season. While this is partially true, leather and suede will forever be fall staples, not trends. Each year, these staples get reinterpreted by designers with slight tweaks and updates. Silhouettes are refreshed, and new styles emerge. Social media users—especially those newer to fashion—might see these updates and assume they’re part of a new trend, when in fact, they’re just seasonal staples styled in modern ways. Whether this is due to content creation pressure, fast fashion influence, or a lack of fashion knowledge, it’s important to remember that much of what you see online is driven by sales, brand partnerships, and views. Anyone who considers leather and suede to be a “new trend” might not be the most knowledgeable. (Just kidding, sort of.)

So, what is the best way to differentiate between trends and fads?

Defining Trends.

A trend is what’s most popular at a given time. Trends can emerge in any area and are not limited to fashion or entertainment. Often, trends become widespread when celebrities, influencers, and pop culture icons all wear specific styles. You can usually tell what year it was by looking back on past trends. Fashion trends evolve due to people in the spotlight, influential leaders, and global events. Some trends are fabulous; others are less appealing. Not everyone resonates with every trend—that’s the nature of trends. They’re temporary, but they evolve more slowly than fads.

Defining Fads.

One word can summarize a fad: Short Fads typically last for one season, though some may only last weeks. Fads are novelty-driven fashion choices. They can be fun to follow, but they’re not worth long-term investment—or, honestly, much investment at all. The easiest way to remember the difference is that fads fade.

Conclusion.

In today’s fast-paced fashion world, social media has blurred the lines between trends, fads, and staples. As we’re constantly bombarded with new styles and influencers pushing the latest looks, it’s more important than ever to recognize what’s timeless versus what’s temporary. Staples like leather and suede remain seasonal classics, while trends evolve more slowly and fads burn out quickly. Understanding the differences can help you make more thoughtful, long-term fashion choices, so you’re not swept up in the rush of fleeting fads that are here today and gone tomorrow.