FAD, TREND OR CLASSIC: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

In the world of fashion, styles always seem to be changing. What is trending one season may be passé the next. In fact, some styles don’t seem to last longer than a month, and navigating the world of jewelry is no different. It may feel impossible to stay stylish without breaking the bank by aimlessly following every trend to hit the market. However, a deeper understanding of the differences between fads, trends and classics, will enable you to put an end to the fashion fueled guessing game.

1) FADS

The easiest way to categorize a fad is one word: short-lived. Typically, fads last for a total of one season, but they can also last less than a month. Fads are novelty driven fashion choices. A fad is often referred to as “catching on” with the larger population, but will often fade as quickly as it appeared. The easiest way to remember a fad is through a simple alliteration: fads fade. Although engaging in fads can be fun, they are often not worth investing a large amount of money or time.

2) TRENDS

Trends have a much longer lifespan than fads. In fact, they can continue to be fashionable for years and even decades. The primary difference between a trend and a fad is that trends have the potential to be long-term influencers on the market. In addition, trends often involve altered classics. For example, specific colors can be declared “trendy.” For 2014, the colors orange and blue garnered a lot of attention. However, orange and blue are classic colors; in other words, a classic piece has been declared a “trend.” Trends can be much more difficult to track, but the best rule of thumb when considering whether a piece is a classic or a trend, is to ask yourself: “Will I still love this in five years?” If the answer is a resounding “Yes,” then chances are that the piece is either a classic or an updated classic, both of which will age beautifully.

3) CLASSICS

Classic pieces are hard to ignore and almost impossible to miss. There is an undeniable air of timelessness that surrounds classic pieces. When it comes to jewelry, classics pieces are diamonds, colored gemstones, and pearls. Classic jewelry pieces are items that will be passed down through generations and often become heirloom pieces. Classic jewelry are pieces that can stand the test of time and appear flattering on almost anyone, despite age, decade, or current fashion. Classics are forever.