the differences among styles, fashions, and fads

Explain the differences among styles, fashions, and fads and give an example of each.




The PLC concept can be applied to styles, fashions, and fads.

A style is a basic and distinctive mode of expression. For example, styles appear in homes (colonial, ranch, transitional), clothing (formal, casual), and art (realist, surrealist, abstract). Once a style is invented it may last for generations, passing in and out of vogue. A style has a cycle showing several periods of renewed interests.

A fashion is a currently accepted or popular style in a given field. For example, the more formal “business attire” look of corporate dress of the 1980s gave way the to “business casual” look of today. Fashions tend to grow slowly, remain popular for while, and then decline slowly.

Fads are temporary periods of unusually high sales driven by consumer enthusiasm and immediate product or brand popularity. Examples of fads include pet rocks, Rubik’s Cubes, and low-carb diets.