CSS Cascade Layers Vs. BEM Vs. Utility Classes: Specificity Control — Smashing Magazine

CSS specificity can be managed through three main approaches: BEM methodology uses explicit naming conventions to keep specificity flat and predictable; utility classes avoid specificity issues by using single-purpose atomic classes; and CSS Cascade Layers provide absolute control by organizing styles into prioritized groups that override traditional specificity rules. Each approach has trade-offs in terms of code readability, maintainability, and use cases, with Cascade Layers being the most powerful for legacy codebases and complex applications.