Is it a fashion, trend, hype or craze/hit? The difference explained in 3 minutes.


The word ‘trend’ is used a lot nowadays. Everytime something ‘new’ pops up the media immidiatly calls it a trend. Now that isn’t always right! New Facebook ‘games’, for example the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge from last summer, are not trends. A trend never is obligated, one single product, location bound or related to fashion.

So what is a trend then? A trend is a change in our attitude, something that changes our social living conditions and changes the way we live. Trends always leave marks, they don’t just go away.

There are three kinds of trends:
1. Market trends: trends that happen in certain markets. They answer the question “What is happening in our market?” For example: because of the aging of the population (Society trend) there is an increase in demand for chair lifts and stand up chairs.
2. Consumer trends: trends that influence the consumer. They answer the question “How are consumers behaving?” For example: the fact that we are becoming more and more mobile.
3. Society trends: trends that influence our environment. They answer the question “In what kind of world are we living?” For example: the aging of the population, globalization, … .

So, you’re a trendwatcher? Tell me, am I dressed fancy?

Everytime I tell someone that I’m a trendwatcher, I get the question if they are dressed fancy. I hate it when that happens! Fashion and trends are not the same. The same happens when somthing new and ‘trendy’ pops up, mostly thats just a hype or a craze/hit.
I’ll explain the difference, once and for all.
1. Fashion is something new of the already existing. It’s a new form of a certain object for example Uggs, a new chair, a new strapless dress, the colour of summer 2015, … .

Uggs — Fashion

2. A hype is a crowd going crazy for something. You can’t hide from it, it is something that reaches everyone. For example the ALS ice bucket challenge, desasters as media sensation, … .

ALS Ice Bucket Challenge — Hype

3. A craze or hit is something that people do or buy to be part of something. Mostly a craze of hit is attended with a temporary shortage, because of the high demand. For example Panini stickers, Ferbies, Rubik cube, … .

Ferbie — Craze or hit

So hopfully the difference is clear now. Save me from having a heart attack next time I watch television. ;)

Thanks for reading & spread the word.