Gone are the days when you could just throw on a collared shirt and some khaki pants and be considered a fashionable male. Now, there is a little more planning that goes into pulling together the perfect wardrobe that strikes the right balance of comfortable and cool without trying too hard. Thankfully, you can pull plenty of inspiration from the high-style runways, then adapt those looks to fit your everyday wear. Here are four trends that are sure to define the autumn/winter season of 2018.

1. Nineties Throwbacks

Yes, everything that once was big will one day be big again. Our parents had to wait almost two decades for us to realize that eighties music is the best, bell bottoms look fantastic when worn correctly, and big hair really is all it’s cracked up to be. That said, it’s time for nineties babies to rejoice! Trends from that era are back in a big way.

Think tracksuits with a stripe down the side, bucket hats and sneakers so oversized you could fit three pairs of feet inside. This is one trend that truly maximizes comfort while also allowing you to look fashionable and fabulous in the process. If you have to pick one accessory from this trend to invest in, our bet is on the aforementioned bucket hat. Practical and effortlessly cool, you can channel your inner boy band member while also catching some big-mouth bass on the lake if you desire.

2. Layered Leather

Just in time for that chill in the air we all know is around the corner, menswear fashion is embracing the layered look. Specifically, layer upon layer of dark leather is preferred. This means that black leather pants and a gray leather jacket no longer make you look like you just stepped off your Harley Davidson and are ready for a bike meet. Rather, you’ll look cool the moment you step out, like Keanu Reeves in the Matrix.

A great statement piece that fits into this category is an oversized, super-long leather jacket. If you can find a vintage one, snag it if you’re able. The more distressed, worn-in and pre-loved the piece, the better. This is also a great way to showcase those new leather messenger bags that are hitting the market. Add one to the mix and step out in confidence.

3. Fuzzy Shearling Coats

Nothing says “warm” quite like a great shearling coat. Looks like the fashion world is finally coming around to this realization, with this type of outerwear taking center stage at many of this summer’s fashion shows. While it might be tempting to spring for a knockoff to save a few bucks, this is one piece that will last you a lifetime and as such, is worth investing in.

From Hermes to Armani, top designers are featuring shearling in their menswear pieces, fitting appropriately with the rustic, farmhand trend that is influencing everything from modern home decor to beard styles.

4. Vintage-Inspired Hiking Gear

Even if you have no plans of hitting the slopes, hiking the mountains, or exploring that rough terrain, it’s time to get yourself some activewear, stat. Not only is this menswear fashion trend uber comfortable, but you’ll fit right in with some of the most fashionable members of your community. The twist? Most of this activewear isn’t defined by the neon, puffy ski jackets that dominated seasons past. Nor is it centered on cotton hoodies or the like.

Rather, today’s trendiest activewear is more old-fashioned in nature. Think of what your grandfather would wear while going out fishing. That is the kind of look everyone is going for. From lace-up boots to tan vests, if you walk out the door looking like a mountain climber about to ascend the Swiss Alps in the late 1930s, you’re on the right track.

So, what are you waiting for? There are plenty of menswear fashion styles that are designed to fit every style and budget out there. So start shopping and pick the pieces that speak to you. Then, go to work, on that date, or out with friends, confident that you look your best.

You’ve seen them on the subway. You’ve seen them in the two-hour company meeting that runs about two hours too long. You’ve seen them at the mall, in the grocery store and on the plane before takeoff. They’re texters, and they’re taking over.

These days, it’s statistically true that more people use their smartphones to send a text message than to actually call someone. While this fact might have sent our grandparents’ heads spinning, the truth is that instant communication is the way of the world now. It’s how we expect to receive our news, get our retail discounts and promotions, and keep up with our friends. As such, brands attempting to maintain legitimacy and a leg up amid stiff digital competition are turning to SMS text messaging to reach their target audience as quickly and conveniently as possible.

Gone are the days when a mass email blast was enough to alert your followers of an upcoming sale. Nor do consumers want to be inundated with paper flyers or generic mailings that let them know what’s in stock at your store. Rather, if you allow them to opt-into your messaging, they can receive all of this valuable information in the form of a quick and simple text message. How they choose to respond is up to them, of course, but as studies reveal we’re more likely to open a text than an email, chances are high that you’ll remain top of mind for at least a while.

To that end, let’s discuss four reasons why SMS messaging just makes sense for your business and why you’d be remiss not to consider its benefits when creating your next marketing campaign.

1. It’s direct.

In other advertising channels, your brand is competing against the clatter of others clamouring for your audience’s attention. This is true in magazines, on television and even across social media channels.

On the other hand, an SMS message goes directly to their mobile inbox, popping up briefly to notify recipients that they have something new waiting for them. In this way, it is the most simple and streamlined way to communicate in a personal manner with your followers who are truly interested in what you have to say.

2. It integrates with other channels.

SMS messaging is an ideal way to reach your interested audience as a standalone tactic. Yet, it becomes even more valuable when integrated into your overall content marketing strategy. From your social media presence to your print advertising methods, SMS messaging can be designed to simply act as an extension of your brand. Thanks to advanced software, it can even be customized to be as visually dynamic and interactive as possible, meaning that you can upload your logo, colors, font and more to your text message so every time you send a notification, everyone knows it’s you.

For instance, have you ever sent an email to your community and wondered how it was received? Have you tried to gauge follow-up and conversion rates? If so, you can follow-up a few days later with a simple text that asks “Have you seen our email? Click here for more information” to encourage action.

3. It encourages customer engagement.

Compared to other forms of audience outreach, SMS messaging is one of the most personal and meaningful form of engagement. With smartphones literally attached at the hip of your most valued and important customers, understanding how to best reach them where they are and when they want to be contacted is critical to conversion. This way, you can send alerts when they’re at the gym, in the office, at home or in a restaurant and they’ll have the option to open it immediately or read it when they’re ready.

It can also be an ideal tool to gauge customer interest and gather important feedback. From simple, one-question surveys and polls to links to more in-depth questionnaires, you can send an SMS alert that allows your audience to quickly share what they think and how they feel with the click of a few buttons. Relying on them to come into your brick-and-mortar store and share the same feedback could leave you waiting for a while.

Above all, remembering to vary the kind of content you deliver via SMS messaging is key. While recipients might love to hear about a new product development in the works in one message, they may get a little bored if that’s all your sending out. If in doubt, save the longer-form information for an email or online newsletter. Then, stick to sending out the personalized, informative and engaging texts your customers crave.

Whether you’re intending to sell your home at some point in the future or plan to live in it your entire life and eventually pass it down to your heirs, all homeowners stand to gain when they make investments in their spaces that amp up its overall value. Depending on your budget and timeline, there are myriad ways you can enhance and improve your space. From major, large-scale landscaping efforts to simple hardware changes, how big or small you go is truly up to you.

Thankfully, even if you only have a weekend or two to spare and are working with a budget that is more DIY than designer, you can easily make affordable, cost-effective upgrades to your home that add instant value. Today, we’re going over a few that are as doable as they are effective. Most of these are obtainable for under $1,000 or so, making them easily achievable and a great project for the upcoming fall.

1. Water Filtration System

Increasingly, an in-home water filtration system is becoming less of a nice-to-have-feature and more of a necessity as homeowners and buyers place a greater emphasis on drinking water safety and sanitation. While the process to install a water filtration is relatively simple, the payout could be huge. Designed to eliminate harmful pollutants and other chemicals from your home’s water, these systems make it easy to serve everyone in your household clean water.

If you’ve been relying on cumbersome pitchers with built-in filters to do the job so far, or have been purchasing bottled or filtered water jugs from your grocery store, you’ve likely already shelled out the price it would take to install an in-home filtration system. Those avenues can also lead to excess waste and should be curbed if at all possible. Instead, a simple filtration system can be hooked up to your main water supply, meaning that water from any faucet, from your bathroom to your mudroom or kitchen, is filtered, clean and ready to use. This step might sound simple, but it is an unexpected luxury and worth every penny if you’re looking to sell your property and impress house guests.

2. Programmable Thermostat

Smart home technology is all the rage at the moment and for good reason. Modern innovation has made it possible for us to more closely control our home systems, saving us time, energy, money and other resources in the process. From washer and dryer units that can sense when a load of laundry is done to smart HVAC systems, there is a plethora of solutions to pick from and the level of automation you choose to implement is up to you.

One smart move, especially when you’re attempting to increase your home’s value, is to install a programmable thermostat. This is one of the most simple and straightforward smart home systems to install, but it packs the biggest punch. Designed to integrate seamlessly with your existing HVAC system, a smart thermostat can be set to adjust the temperature when you are away from home, reducing both your carbon footprint and your monthly electric bill. It can also be designed to pump extra heat or air in high-traffic areas, turn on or off at a designated time, or slowly increase or decrease the temperature based on the time of day. Potential home buyers want a home that is connected, up-to-date and modern. They also want one that is as energy-efficient as possible. You can achieve both ends with this solution and bring your home into the 21st century in the process.

Most are simple to install and mount to the wall just as a traditional thermostat does. While you will have to program a smart thermostat at first, most can quickly pick up on your habits and can self-adjust with ease, taking the legwork and the guesswork out of operation.

3. New fixtures and hardware.

Light fixtures are elements of your home that you might not think about too often, but when they’re changed out for something new and more dramatic, they can make all the difference in a room. If your current home is relying on can lights and lamps to illuminate your spaces, you might want to consider taking it up a notch by installing a few high-impact chandeliers in spaces where they are appropriate.

Or, maybe it’s time to update that outdated ceiling fan that has been cooling your living room for the past three decades. A simple trip to the local hardware store can reveal plenty of modern options that can be both functional and fashionable. Along the same lines, while you’re there, check out the hardware section. Chances are, the cabinets in your kitchen and bathroom could use a face lift. Consider switching out old-fashioned brass fixtures for stainless steel or oil-rubbed bronze ones.

This is one way to dramatically transform the look of your space without spending major bucks. If you can’t afford new cabinets in your kitchen, for instance, you can simply change out the knobs and pulls and suddenly, it feels like a fresh space. The same goes for your faucets. Wouldn’t a shiny new one look fantastic at your sink? You might not think about it, but the smallest details can make or break a room and if you’re still using the same fixtures and hardware that came with the house when you built it 30 years ago, even if they’re still perfectly functional, it’s likely that they’re run their course.

4. New window coverings.

Nothing screams “outdated” like dusty mini-blinds that haven’t been turned or dusted in years. Along the same lines, no one wants to buy a home that is completely devoid of window coverings, especially if yours is in the middle of a crowded neighborhood! Take a look around your rooms. How are you ensuring privacy to your rooms and adding style to your windows? If you’re still rocking pleated, puffy mauve curtains with sheer panels underneath, it is time for an upgrade.

Consider upfitting your windows with wide wooden blinds or plantation shutters. Doing so might cost you more up front than you paid for those plastic mini-blinds in the eighties, but the result will be more than worth it.

Not only do plantation shutters give your home a neat, pulled-together feel, they also instantly add resale value to it as well. You can view here for more reasons why they’re the ultimate home improvement. Depending on your window size, you may be able to order your new window coverings at your hardware store or you may need to special order a custom size. Either way, this is a simple step you can take today to transform the look of your entire home from both the inside and the outside. As a bonus, most homeowners today look for plantation shutters when buying a home, and having them already installed can be a great conversation (and selling) point.

5. A decorative sidewalk.

Any real estate agent will tell you that curb appeal is everything. In fact, research reveals that most prospective homeowners will make up their minds about whether or not they want to buy a house based on the feeling and impression they get walking up to the front door!

Especially if you are interested in selling in the near future, it is worth the time and effort to really spruce up your landscaping. While you might not have the budget or resources to completely overhaul your existing setup and add a ton of new shrubbery and flower beds, you can create a decorative sidewalk or make yours more aesthetically pleasing. From stamped concrete to brick and even pavers, there are many materials you can choose from when working on your sidewalk.

Ideally, choose a sidewalk location that leads to your home and can become a new focal point for your exterior. Then, landscape it with a simple flower border and stand back to admire your handiwork. One rule of thumb is to make sure whatever elements you use make sense with the style and existing features of your home. For instance, if you have accented with stone throughout your chimney, a stone pathway would make sense. Or, if you have stucco or other neutral tones in your exterior, a stamped concrete sidewalk could look stunning.

Ultimately, the upgrades you choose to make to your home are up to you, though there are some that can add value quicker than others. Before you begin any project or call any contractors, it is important to determine your budget for these renovations. You will also want to keep in mind exactly why you’re interested in making the changes. If your motivator is to sell your property, you will have a more urgent timeline and may want to focus on the projects with the most wow-factor, such as the plantation shutters. Or, if you are just looking to enhance your curb appeal while you stay put, the decorative sidewalk is a great place to start. Regardless, you can’t go wrong when you pour love into your home!