Entry#4 Fads



What makes any given consumer product a fad? Fads are a short-lived hype over a product that became popular very quickly, only to then lose its hype just a few short weeks to months later. Fads can consist of fashion trends, health and beauty, and a number of consumer products. 

You may be asking yourself what influences a fad.  With everyone having access to social media, that can turn something into a fad very quickly. You may be scrolling on any social media platform and come across an influencer showing off their latest and greatest fashion trend, health or beauty product, or consumer goods.  All of a sudden, you feel a sense of FOMO come over you. You then search up the item(s) so that you can get in on the excitement.  If you're lucky, you instantly find what you're looking for, you add it to cart, and you wait for that thing that you just couldn't live without to arrive at your doorstep.  You may even jump in your car to head to several stores in search of the latest and greatest fad.  Instant gratification.  Unless your search online or in stores only produce sold out results and now it becomes more of a challenge for you to get your hands on the latest fad.  

You may remember the Unicorn Frappuccino at Starbucks and the fidget spinners in 2017, the Hydro Flasks in 2019, the Stanley Tumblers in 2024, Labubus in 2025 and now the current fad is a Needoh stress toy with many vibrant color options, shapes, and sizes. Overall, fads are a way to remember what it was like in certain periods of times like the Jnco Jeans and Haki sack of the 90's to the current day trend of Needohs and Labubus.


Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed it.

Elissa Carpenter


more information:

The Role of Consumerism in Shaping Modern Food Trends and Fads | History Rise 

Everyone Thinks They Need a NeeDoh - The Atlantic 

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