The Governmant and the Monetory Ploicy and Fiscal Policy

The critical role that the banking system plays in the U.S. economy is particularly important to understand.  Isn’t the FED a government agency?  Not really.  It is independent of the mainstream government organization, in that it makes its own decisions independent of the president, and of the congress.  It has often been said that the chairman of the FED is the single most powerful individual in all the world.  This is not to say that the FED is not influenced by what the congress or the president want.  It is certainly influenced by them, but it does not need approval to implement its policies.

You can think of it this way.  We wouldn’t want to leave all important decisions in the hands of the government, would we?  In particular, would we want the government to be able to print money whenever it wants to?  We can see what’s going on in Brazil and Argentina right as we speak at least in part due to the printing of too much money.  The decision to create more money is a FED decision in our economy.

Monetary Policy and Fiscal Policy work toward the same goals, but in different ways.  The basic goal of both is to encourage stable, non-inflationary growth of our economy, which then creates more jobs and produces goods and services that we all want at reasonable prices.  Sometimes though Monetary and Fiscal Policies can be in conflict with each other.  We do not do a very good job of coordinating Fiscal and Monetary Policies in this country.  This is one area where substantial improvement needs to be made.

For Plus-Size Men

Abbie RudolphBruce Sturgell founded Chubstr.com in 2011.

Men who fit into the size range offered by most brands have Mr. Porter, Valetmag.com and GQ to look to for style inspiration. But where can plus-sized fashion-focused gentlemen go? Chubstr.com, a Web site founded by Bruce Sturgell in 2011. Mr. Sturgell said he saw few fashion platforms that catered to a more plump crowd.
 So he started Chubstr, an online style guide for men whose appreciation for fashion is as large as their waist size.
Mr. Sturgell, of Springfield, Mo., describes his rea

ders as 18- to 35-year-old style-minded men from around the world. Wives seeking smart threads for their heavy-set husbands are also part of the readership.
With four contributors and traffic growing 20 percent every month (now at 45,000 monthly visitors), according to Mr. Sturgell, Chubstr suggests products and styling advice daily. One highlight is a weekly feature called Style Deconstructed, in which Chubstr analyzes what the site deems well-dressed male celebrities like Dave Grohl and James McAvoy, and advises readers on how interpret the look.
So far advertisers include Rickshaw Bags; Indochino, an online custom suit maker; and the e-tailer PLNDR.
I was introduced to Chubstr last fall when Mr. Sturgell contacted me for an interview to discuss my personal style (long before I started to contribute to The New York Times). Initially, I was turned off by the site’s name. It came across as impolite, too easy and almost laughable. But when I started exploring the site, I found myself devouring each post (pun intended), and found the enthusiasm in the reader-submitted photos section infectious. Chubstr’s community isn’t submissive to size. Sans abs, these rakish readers have found an online residency.
I’m often inspired by Jeffery Costello and Robert Tagliapietra, the designers behind Costello Tagliapietra, whose plaid printed flannel and suspenders have cemented their signature look. But beside the design duo and a few others, my inspiration sources are few.
As a heavier man who appreciates solid design, I often find that men’s plus-size clothing might be the industry’s slowest effort. Unable to fit into most mainstream labels that I admire, my hunt for fashion-forward clothes that are accessible in fit, location and price is perpetual. Although offerings for women don’t mirror high-end design, their spectrum of options, including outlets like Torrid, Lane Bryant and Avenue, seems wider. Brands like Gap, Banana Republic and Ralph Lauren offer the least-conventional sort of styles for larger men, but nothing with which to build a lasting, plus-size wardrobe. The brands that do offer larger sizes are often bereft of spark. Bespoke is often where fuller framed men have found retail-refuge, even if their wallets don’t.
Mr. Sturgell’s movement toward a solution includes plans to start an online store on Chubstr by the end of the year. He said he wants a similar e-commerce experience to Polyvore and Valetmag.com, and will sell garments in sizes 36/XL and up.
http://www.nytimes.com/pages/fashion/index.html
 

Fat Fashion Guy: Where Are All the Style Bloggers for Big Men?

I was reading some of the other guys that are forecasting on the larger guy fashion and ran in to some interesting thing to read, such as an article by James Sanders. Her take a read at his article.

Now that bloggers have stamped their mark on the fashion industry, niche style seekers are able to find almost any kind of perspective with the help of personal style bloggers. Much debate has been had about whether or not this is a good thing. Either way, with men's blogs making just as big of an impact on the industry, bloggers like Joshua Kissi and Travis Gumbs of StreetEtiquette.com and Bryan Boy of Bryanboy.com have been able to find relatable and loyal audiences. But amidst all of the specialty fashion, there seems to be something missing -- fashion blogs that cater to big men.
This industry is all about what's next. In an economy that is just now starting to regain its footing, audiences have to be interested. If not, advertisers won't place ads. If advertisers don't place ads, the demise of the print glossy is inevitable, but we're not there yet. The absence of a plus-size men's fashion blog brings up many questions, but the most important is: are there not enough big men who are interested in fashion?
Am I the only one?
As a freelance stylist, I'm always creating looks and perspectives for sample sizes for editorials, appearances, or campaigns, but of all of the blogs out there in the blogosphere (I hate that word), none apply to people like me. This generation is concerned with fashion and photos; this is partly how the personal-style blogging phenomenon became popular. While style may come in all shapes, sizes, and colors, people don't waste time or money on a niche that doesn't exist.
I think that a big men's fashion blog isn't far-fetched. At one point, some might have thought the same about plus-size women's blogs, but such naysayers were quickly proven wrong. GabiFresh.com does a good job of putting together looks that are practical for plus-size women. Her blog is just one in a sea of style sites now dedicated to bigger women. Italian Vogue, which seems to always be on the cusp of trends before they happen, launched V Curvy, a blog dedicated to plus-size women. These blogs do a great job with content that is useful and still true to style. Men's blogs do the same, but the looks aren't one-size-fits-all.
Wanting to believe that the Internet is a smorgasbord of sorts -- all-encompassing -- I took to the Web looking desperately for any kind of blogs in the U.S. and internationally that might have a big men's perspective. Needless to say, I couldn't find any.
Still seeking, I looked through some of my favorite glossies. I was pleasantly surprised to find trends that were relatable to any size. I guess at the end of the day, it's all in the styling. It seems like men's magazines are obsessed with decades. Great glossies like VMan and Details both recently published spreads inspired by blasts from the past. I find inspiration in any decade, but my absolute favorite is the fashions from the 50s. I tailor my wardrobe to be consistent with who I am while still incorporating some of my favorite trends.
That being said, style blogs have become a great reference, but it only works if there are point of views for everyone.

By James Sanders
Fashion Editor, Writer on Style and Culture.

Wardrobe Staples

The key to pulling off a hip look is to successfully incorporate staple pieces and style them with a modern twist. A few staples that no modern man should be without include:

• Sport shirts: Many reputed labels design a wide range of smart sport shirts. Choose from long and short sleeve versions in various colors and prints. Steer clear of very light or check prints, which can add bulk. Sport shirts are also good because they go well with everything from denim to tailored trousers.
• Jeans: Opt for denim that sits just below the natural waist. A dark wash, such as black, adds a little modern edge, but a more practical shade for everyday, like blue-grey or a medium blue, is also a great choice. To add even more hip style to your denim, look for designs that have minimal embellishment and a worn-out look.
• Sweaters: V-neck sweaters are not only stylish, they also draw attention away from a round face or double chin, drawing attention instead toward the chest. Rotate colors by season to keep it consistently hip - plum and red are great during the winter, while light gray and blue shades reign supreme during the spring. If you like prints, stick with vertical stripes or a vertical line down one side of the sweater

Popular Brands for Larger Guys

Popular Brands for Larger Guys

If you're on a mission to hunt down hip fashion, you won't have to look far. Today, many stores cater to men of all sizes, and most retailers have a section devoted specifically to large men. You can find stylish clothing at well-known department stores, online boutiques and retail chains.

• Men's Warehouse: A men's retailer that is known for stocking a large selection of big and tall clothing from popular designers. Expect to find suits and casual wear here.
• Ralph Lauren: One of the most popular designers in the world, also has an impressive stock of clothing for larger men. The classic Polo shirts are available, as well as collared shirts and trousers.
• Perry Ellis: Known for their suits and casual wear, big and tall men should have no problem finding stylish clothing to fit their frames.
• Alfani: Sold exclusively in Macy's department stores, the Alfani brand is reasonably priced and offer are wide range of sizes in suits, trousers, shorts and shirts.
• Izod: The casual wear from this brand is equally classic and trendy. Whether you opt for cargo pants, dress shirts or slacks, your big frame will look great.
• Nautica: The nautical theme of this brand is a classic staple in menswear. The color palette is often muted, but the sizing is impressive.
• Sean John: Music mogul Sean Combs' clothing line is the definition of hip and trendy. The majority of the fashions you will find will often be worn by some of hip hop's and R&B's elite. The sizing is arguably the best around for big and tall.

Larger Body Type Defined

Reginald Phillips

A large body type defined

Large body types vary widely. You may be tall with a massive frame or short and heavyset. Whether you're extremely fit and muscular or you haven't hit the gym in years, a large body type means that you're of above average weight or size. If you fall into the latter category, you'll also be quite wide around your torso.

Pros and cons of dressing a large body

Nearly every body type has its style challenges. If yours is large, one con is that dressing your body to its best advantage means you'll be quite limited in terms of the colors and patterns you can get away with wearing. You also won't be able to be as experimental with fashion trends as leaner men, and simply finding trendy clothes to suit your body type can be difficult.

On the plus side, retailers and e-tailors are increasingly stocking stylish clothes in larger sizes, so it is becoming easier than ever before to find nice clothing at any size. What's more, classic, timeless pieces (the foundation of any man's wardrobe) always look good on you, lending a distinguished appearance.

Fit

One of the most important principles to follow when dressing any body type is to buy clothes that fit properly. This rule is particularly important if you are on the larger side. To show your body in its best light, select clothing that skims over your frame, as it will smooth out your physique. Your blazers should be a little longer in order to provide more coverage of your posterior. To further flatter your body and balance out your proportions, choose tops, blazers and outerwear with slightly structured shoulders, as these will give you an authoritative air and will direct attention to your face.

For bottom pieces, it’s best to opt for jeans and trousers with a forgiving, relaxed fit rather than straight (borderline skinny) alternatives. Pay attention to your hemlines, as well, and ask your tailor  to let your pants fall close to the end of your heel to give the illusion of longer, leaner legs.

Fashion Tips For Skinny & Fat Men

Choose heavier fabrics

Choosing heavier fabrics for all of your clothes is an important fashion tip for skinny men. When in style, thick corduroy pants can beef up your legs. During the colder months, skip out on trends like fitted, grandpa-style cardigans in order to avoid resembling a schoolboy, and try chunky, knitted wool cardigans instead. As far as dress clothes go, select heavier wools for your suits and cotton dress shirts with a higher thread count. Whether you’re dressing up or down, always dress in layers as more clothes means you appear to have more mass.

Wear turtlenecks and crew-necks

When you’re a skinny man, wear turtleneck or crew-neck sweaters in chillier weather. V-neck sweaters will expose your neck and thin features. Pay attention to the collar when you’re buying dress shirts and pick ones that have spread collars as they will make the upper portion of your chest seem wider.

fashion tips for fat men

The best way to look great in the long-term when you’re overweight is to lose excess weight with the help of a proper diet and exercise program. Once you start dropping pounds, your clothes will fit better and your confidence will increase along with your motivation to try new fashions and styles.

Since there’s no reason to put off looking good until you reach your goal weight, we’ve put together a few fashion tips to help you make the most of your large body type and create a slimmer-looking physique.

Ensure your clothes aren’t too tight

Your clothes should fit perfectly. Garments that are too tight will reveal all the lumps and bumps you’d rather not draw attention to. Alternatively, while very loose clothing will hide your problem areas, it will also make you look larger than you actually are. Take care when shopping to choose pieces that skim over your body and smooth out its surface.

Don’t wear tops with sloped shoulders

Avoid tops with naturally sloped shoulders as these tend to draw the eye down to your midsection. Instead, check to make sure that all your tops have slightly squared shoulders as these will concentrate others’ attention on your body to your chest and face.

Don’t wear bold patterns

Avoid loud or bold patterns as they will make you stand out in addition to drawing attention to the upper half of your body. One pattern you should wear, however, is vertical lines; they create optical continuity and will help elongate the look of your body. Dark, solid colors are also your new best friend as they are an instant physique fixer and will make you seem 10 pounds thinner.

Wear low-rise bottoms

Instead of wearing trousers and jeans that hit at your waist, invest in low-rise bottoms that sit on your hips. Low-rise trousers have a shorter distance between the top of the waistband and the crotch of your pants than regular trousers. Also, ensure that the waistband of your pants is large enough to accommodate your midsection so that your belly does not stick out over your pants. A stomach that protrudes over your pants lengthens your torso and shortens your legs -- not exactly the most attractive combination. Rotund individuals should also avoid pants with pleats as they will make your pelvic area look bigger.

Unfortunately, not all men are born tall and handsome with naturally built physiques. Nevertheless, while you may not have won the genetic lottery, clothing and grooming choices can go a long way in helping you make the best of what you've inherited. This fashion tip focuses on skinny and fat men because both body types can alter their wardrobes in order to flatter their images and feel more confident in their skin.

If your body type falls into one of these categories, read our fashion tips for skinny and fat men to learn how to best complement your physique
Tips for the skinny man Many men spend a lot of time dieting and working out to achieve a slimmer physique, all while harboring serious hate for their skinny counterparts who can eat whatever they please without gaining weight. Because society tends to equate being lean with being attractive (and even healthy), it's easy to forget that being too thin is a real problem that some men face. And by "some men," we're not referring to waif-like teenage boys or hipsters who live in skinny jeans, but men who want to shed their skinny physique.

When it comes to fashion, just as overweight individuals find it tough to buy clothes that are flattering for a larger body, skinny men experience difficulty finding clothes that fit well and complement their smaller frames.

One way to bulk up is to join a gym and start lifting weights, alongside eating more protein and other foods that will add muscle mass to a bony body. However, don't worry if you hate exercise or can't seem to fit it into your day, because we've put together a collection of tips to dress a skinny body type that will help you create the visual illusion of being larger than you are.

Buy blazers with small shoulder padding To make your upper body look more muscular, purchase blazers with light shoulder padding. Be warned that bigger is not better here, as small shoulder pads will give your back and chest a visual boost, but massive padding will make you seem like a small boy lost in a man's jacket in addition to cheapening your look, even if your blazer is pricey.

Avoid slim-fitting shirts Slim-fit, yes; skinny, no. Avoiding skinny dress shirts and T-shirts is an important fashion tip for skinny men. Instead, opt for tops that are fitted and allow some movement from your midsection, as these will hide a small ribcage. In addition, avoid clingy fabrics. Check the labels on your tops to make sure they don’t contain too much elastic. Don't buy your tops too large, though, as excess fabric will make you seem like you’re swimming in your shirt.

Tailor your blazers Only wear single- or double-breasted blazers and make sure to tailor them so they fit properly throughout your entire body. Avoid any loose fabric under the arms or in the shoulder area. Also, a key fashion tip for skinny men is to keep consistency in your tops and bottoms, so don’t wear oversize blazers or sweaters with fitted pants (or vice versa) or your thin frame will be glaringly apparent.

Wear jackets at the right length When it comes to jackets, make sure they all fall right under your buttocks. A shorter jacket will emphasize your height as well as your skinny waist, arms and legs. A longer jacket, on the other hand, can make you look like a blanket-covered stick. Thus, strike the right balance.

Wear flat-front pants Your pants should have a classic cut and remain simple with a flat front. Go for straight-leg or slightly boot-cut shapes and steer clear of tapered trousers or skinny jeans. Pockets also add a bit more volume to your shape, as do cuffs, but wear pants with the latter feature only when it is in fashion. Don't be afraid to wear pants with lines or patterns because these add volume, although you’ll want to banish pinstripes from your closet as they will make you look like a beanpole.

NOTHING NEW THIS WEEK

Well their won't be any fashion news reported this week because the Flu bug has taken its tole on me and I really mean it got me really good. Sent my mom in the hospital and me laid up for a while but we will hopefully be back with new and extraordinary information on the spring and summer fashion coming your way.


Reginald Phillips
Editor in Chief

DO WE CRITICIZE OUR FRIENDS ON WHAT THEY WEAR RATHER WE ARE CLOSE TO THEM OR NOT?

Reginald Phillips
Editor in Chief 


 I am that type of person that really hates hurting his friends feelings and I really don't think it would be my place to tell people what they look like when they are dressed, rather its in everyday jeans and t-shirts or what they look like when they are in the workplace. I think when you dress, you should take into consideration on how you want people to see you or see yourself. Do you want people to see you as a bum or you want people to see you as a person that dresses well with a great job and carry yourself well. Any person that are into what they wear and how they looks as I do in public, always make sure they are up to pare when they are in the public, not to say that we all can't afford great wear but we do make sure they are clean and presentable as how you want to be seen. We all know that people get behind our backs and start speaking about certain things that shouldn't even concern them but of course that is just the way people are in this world. I only think that you are only allowed to criticize your friends, if only asked "if something wrong with what I'm wearing" this is the only time you should comment on this issue on how they look unless you are complimenting them on how great you think they look.


I really would like to know from my readers, what they think about commenting on what they're friends are wearing or how they are dressing when you see them at work or just as you see them as your friend. Should you pull them to the side and let them know about their cloths, even if you knew that they did not make a lot of money and couldn't afford great cloths as you or even made much as money as you or even if you made the same money as they did? Please Comment!

We are all looking forward to the upcoming spring and summer months.

Well guys now that the holidays are over, I'm sure we all are looking forward to the coming months... for the spring and summer fashions for that fashion continuous larger male alone with the guys that do not have to shop the big and tall men stores as we larger guys do. Their are some great stores out their for the well dresses larger gentlemen, such as King size direct, Casual Male XL, and also site's like Chubstr are just some of the places where we larger well built guys can shop and look as good as the next man, if of course you are concerned by the way you look in what you wear.

Reginald Phillips

Chief in Editor

JLP Publishing Co.

As I said years ago when I had put on a lot of weight, while shopping for the larger male fashion finding that their isn't many places to shop for the big and tall guys without paying a fortune for their clothing. So, I decided to find out where these big and tall guys fashion trend are, and report them to you in order to let the big and tall guys know their is a way you are still in the running for that special feeling of looking good in what you wear.Guys you can take a look in some of the store's such as Casual Male XL which carries very nice clothing for that guy that want that sweater or slacks we are all looking for when wanting to look respectable or how about HB Clothing, as they say for that manly man.

Thoughts for today's man

Years ago when I started putting on the weight, I started to feeling if I wasn't able to meet beautiful woman and other people as I did when I was smaller, but of course, even though I was dressing very well.... I still thought I had to step up my game in order to meet the woman and people I am accustom to "and don't tell me weight doesn't matter", so I decided to do a little shopping just as I know what I.... want to look like as well dressed man. I took the time out to research some of the stores and website I know....that carries the slacks, suits, sport coat and other accessories I would like to wear, after putting them together and out came a new me, more confident and more sure of who I am then ever. Even though now I have lost the weight, I write this blog to encourage and let the big and tall guys know that we can still look as good as the next man and this is the reason I look for the new and upcoming fashion for the big and taller gentlemen for a more and better us. So guy's keep your head up and their is a lot more to come from JLP Publishing and LRG Magazine from the upcoming fashion events for the well dressed larger gentleman. For fashion tips and more we can be reached:

Reginald Phillips

LRG Magazine

lrg_mag@lrgmagazine.com

JLP PUBLISHING COMPANY: Looking forward to the upcoming spring and summer ...

JLP PUBLISHING COMPANY: Looking forward to the upcoming spring and summer ...: Well guys now that the holidays are over, I'm sure we all are looking forward to the coming months... for the spring and summer fashions f...

JLP PUBLISHING COMPANY: Looking forward to the upcoming spring and summer ...

JLP PUBLISHING COMPANY: Looking forward to the upcoming spring and summer ...: Well guys now that the holidays are over, I'm sure we all are looking forward to the coming months... for the spring and summer fashions f...