Looking for plus-size fashion blogs for cool inspiration? A recent article on The Daily Beast highlighted some excellent plus fashion blogs to check out, and I thought that I would highlight them if you have been looking for some plus women to look up to and use as inspiration. Check these out and see what you like!

Manolo for the Big Girl

While some styles of Manolo for the Big Girl are featured for e-commerce purposes only, the tone is witty, bright, and funny, and the bloggers have gotten plenty of notoriety in the plus world. They also happen to love pricey shoes, which I also love! Have a page through some great picks and be sure to read the comments on the blog--it's a very fiesty community. I love Manolo for the Big Girl, and I think you will, too!

Young, Fat, and Fabulous

This blog is run by a stylish plus woman dedicated to the 14+--she digs up all sorts of goodies from a variety of cool brands and labels in a just-launched phase. She's also been on network TV talking about plus styles and how to get that wardrobe together, as well as the plight of the “Fatshionista.”

Fat Girls Like Nice Clothes

Lots of current-time plus styles get highlighted in this fun and fashon-forward blog, which basically all of us 12+ should read! It recently covered Beth Ditto's Evans launch, Skorch's return to the plus-size magazine world, and plenty of other goodies.

Sakina in the City (French but Fun)

This blog might be in French, but it's fun to read and creative, too. If you'd like to have a peek at European plus-size fashion (sigh, it's also tres chic), perhaps this is the right blog to visit. . . ASAP! I especially like Sakina's use of high-waisted skirts and frilly blouses without making them look twee or awkward—brava, my plus-size friend across the pond!

Musings of a Fatshionista

Very plus-size friendly fashion picks make me drool... arg! If you want to read a blog that's a little bit like the plus equivalent of a Cinde-Nast blog, this is the place to be. I enjoy flipping through all the scanned mag articles from various sources, as well as the fun high-fashion layouts of plus fashion that really make me feel like part of the fashion bunch (instead of an outsider).

Let the jaws drop around me: Fashion Bug has the best wedding dresses around! I was recently shopping on their site, and I loved what I found over there for a little over $100 dollars. I can envisions many of their pieces working for the casual weddings, so have a look if that's in the stars for you--or if you might be attending a friend's wedding who simply has no idea what to wear.

Without further ado, here are some of the reasons why Fashion Bug's wedding dress section should be at least browsed through, if not purchased from:

1. Affordability: Their dresses might be designed in plenty of different styles, but the prices are firm: $109.99. A trained shopping eye and an interest in all things style will definitely help--some pieces are, of course, more successful than others. Unearth the diamonds!

2. Plus-Friendly Design: The Fashion Bug Bridal section, from what I can see, is offered only to plus-size women. That's fantastic, because what plus-size women really ends up with too much choice?! They have sizes up to 28W with no price change, which means that you can order your size comfortably without thinking that you'll run into issues where you just can't figure out which size to buy--because one is more expensive!

3. Stylish Solutions: They do cocktail-length dresses and three-piece bridal pantsuits, which is the only option priced higher than $109.99. (It's $159.99.) It's sharp and trimmed with satin (very nice!), and it still rings in at an affordable amount when faced with wedding bells. Add a few flowers, and you are done!

4. Goddess Looks: Slip into a dress with smart ruching, the kind that makes you look slimmer but still enhances your curves. While I am a fan of knot front gowns myself (super sexy and flattering, too), you might like to have a page through their halter neck styles, and the ones with a more demure neckline.

5. Fun: When you buy a dress that costs only a little over $100, you'll probably get to use the saved cash (which can be significant) for the honeymoon or for after-wedding drinks. Even if you use it just for your jewelry, money saved always feels like money well spent when you use if for an exciting part of your wedding budget.

Have fun and shop away!

Looking to impress on a date? Head out to a work meeting or a meeting with the in-laws looking fantastic with these selections. Take a close look at these top spring/summer 09-10 suggestions for anyone looking to get cool when things are hot.

Maxi Dresses

Maxi dresses are a smart choice when you need a more "formal looking" dresses that are still comfortable and accessory-friendly. Keep a black maxi dress stowed away in your wardrobe for emergency dress-up situations when you're panicking away, so all you need to do is add long pendant necklaces or a stack of bangles, plus a pair of metallic flat sandals.

Sparkly Tunics

Tunics with a touch of sequins and embroidery are so hot this season! The better news is that these tops can easily stretch across multiple requirements, including beach cover-up needs and dress-up casual events like picnics and even semi-Casual Fridays. Try tucking that tunic into a pencil skirt for a trendy, trim effect, and tie up that skirt with a cool belt, if you have one.

Obi Belts

Obi belts are a great accessory to add to your repertoire, primarily because they are as cheap as they stylish. Get a few in a couple different colors to add flair to dresses, skirts, and tops, and you can find plenty of stretchier ones from American Apparel, in various lengths. I recommend getting one in black and in red for fun mixers-uppers.

Sash Dresses

A defined waist never goes out of style, does it? If your waist is the hourglass type, try a silk dress with minimal detail that ties loosely around the midsection, or a dress with a self-fabric belt that matches your frock perfectly. Matching clutches are totally recommended with vintage-style dresses, but a great long pair of earrings are also perfect!

Vintage Frocks

Need a dose of glam style this summer? Pick up a dress from a bygone age as a great Gatsby throwback or a summer of love reminder, and let the comments flow! You'll love your dress almost as much as the attention, and (best of all) you'll get to flatter your sense of style and personal taste with your choice. Consider more modern accessories to strike a great balance.

Daring Heels

High heels might be a summer standby, but try to get more creative this summer if you can! If you usually wear stacked heels, go for kitten heels. If you enjoy the odd pair of wedge heels, tryespadrilles instead for a comfortable, but different-looking style. Play with colors, and buy at least one pair of shoes in a brightly-colors solid.

If you're looking for a shirt to fit and flatter, try these tops from Rochelle Behrens, which fit well and are as stylish as can be. I absolutely adore this label from stylish Rochelle, and if you haven't checked out her collections so far, now's your chance. They are utterly stylish and fit so well, so take a look at these prime picks from the Rochelle Behrens collection.

The Designer

Rochelle Behrens was a Washington D.C. intern when she first noticed the problem: gaping shirts were makng her feel uncomfortable in the workplace. Now the designer of classic button-down shirts has been featured on The Today Show, The Daily Beast, Daily Candy, and more, and she's not stopping anytime soon. What's special about these shirts? They feature a specially-designed placket that provides extra room in the bust for those of us who need to stay away from the gaping thing that some shirts do all too well.

The Sales

I wasn't expecting a higher-end designer like Rochelle Behrens to offer sales picks from her shop, but she does. Right now, the entire store is marked down, with the signature shirts currently being offered for 30% off, or around $113.00. While that may still seem a little pricey, keep in mind that these specialty fit items won't disappoint.

Top picks include:

1. Rochelle's classic-button shirts with metallic buttons

2. The classic shift in croc print

3. Fitted tweed skirts

4. A tight tulip skirt in tweed or croc

The Press

As previously mentioned, the Rochelle Behrens Collection has been featured in plenty of high-profile news sources, including DC Mag, the Associated Press, Politico, Roll Call, and more. Project Beltway said last year of Rochelle that "Rochelle is smart as hell and has made a line of smartly tailored clothes for women who work and who don’t have time to fuss around getting dressed in the morning (even if we had the time, wouldn’t we rather sleep?). When I went to her trunk show back in July, the women were snapping up the blue scoop neck dresses like hotcakes…" Trust me, it's very unsurprising once you take a look at these pieces up close!

The Price Point

Jackets in the Rochelle Behrens Collection hit somewhere around $200-ish when on sale, but were originally priced at $355 before the season's discounting. The mainstay and must-have of Rochelle's work is certainly the button-down shirt, which is extremely stylish and priced under $200 when not on sale. Go for the 30% off now if that sounds too pricey! They are around $122 right now, which does represent significant savings.

Buy Now

Head to Rochelle Behren's Sale Page to stock up--you'll be glad you did.

Barefoot Tess is a smart place to shop if you need to shop for shoes in larger sizes, including wider widths. From sandals to pumps, you'll be squaling with joy if you are an 11+. After I started checking out the site, I realized that they featured far more than I expected, but you'll need to scroll through a bunch of different designs to see which ones are offered in the size you need. It's kind of like a bigger, better DSW, and we know you'll love it!

What You Need to Check Out

Soft Suede Sandals

Soft sandals are always a smart pick, and suede is a good material for sandals in cooler climates. Slide on a comfortable pair of sandals with some nice straps and sweet soles, and wander around in your perfectly-fitting pieces that will really surprise you in their comfort, fit, and ability to match with all your cool styles.

Mini-Boots

Mini-boots are good to keep around for when the temperature drops, especially when you are due to go out and relax, but you can't bear to wear revealing summer styles now that the temperatures have dropped. Slip into smart tan choices with plenty of spots for aeration, or a pair of toeless mini-boots in a dusty black color.

Low-Heeled Pumps

Stay in a pair of heels that don't stress your poor feet, particularly when you are trying to relax in the summer and stay low-stress. Pull on leather pumps in a lighter colored leather or manmade fabric, and din't shy away from girly details like bows, ties, and flowers. Play around with those designs to find one that's totally you.

Sneakers

Toss on the sneaks when you're feeling lazy! While many people aren't interested in getting their sneaker self one (being one of the most maligned stylish out there, unfortunately!), you should take a browse through those hybrid styles that combine the look of fancier styles with the comfier athletic looks.

Unusual Slides

Mules, ballerina flats, slip-ons, ethnic sandals, and more! Have a look at some styles that you might not have ever imagined wearing until now. . . but that look just might surprise them in the end. While experimenting with colors is always recommended, a little style experimentation is never allowed.

Flats and More

Flat shoes are always a smart buy. How about one of these styles?

Looking for some great plus selections this season? Here's what we think might be nice to try out on your own and see what you like!

A Little Bit of Frill

Frilly tops are the way to go. If you're feeling self-conscious about one detail in particular, don't particularly like a specific area, or want to add some shape, ruffles are the way to do it sneakily this season. Tops with a frill along thebustline accentuate your upper half, shirt with a hemline frill can help balance a more uneven body type to a "t." Try your top in silk to combat the weight and heat of layering!

Maxi Dresses

Get that long dress to the floor, and show off all your gorgeous curves without feeling like the wind will ruin your day. Many of us who live in more blustery areas can barely pull off a knee-length skirt without having it get yanked around, and who wants to wearSpanx underneath his or her's skirt every day? Not me!

Back-Baring Bits

An exposed back is a good way to show skin, get in the summer mood, and avoid all the other styles that might show parts you're not so interested in showing. The back is a safe yet sexy spot to highlight, and it's also an area that simply can't be done wrong. Look for t-back tops and dresses if you don't want to go for the full halter style--in fact, it might be the preferred option if we are going for the "less is more" thing.

Decorative Floral Dresses

You need a floral frock, no matter whether or not you consider yourself a dresser who leans towards the feminine, and colorful is the way to go with this one. Sling on your most tea party appropriate item in a variety of blended colors, and consider matching that dress with a cool pair of jeweled leather sandals.

Strapless Selections

Are you a strapless kind of girl? Try to be one today, because all those little styles might just surprise you. If you have slimmer shoulders, not matter what your size, you can create the illusion of slimness with just a few smart picks. If you need to find a strapless bra to complement your look, try one fromLipo in a Box, which are my personal favorite.

Peasant Wear

Whee! A peasant dress is a good way to get into that summer spirit, and the good news is that you don't need to get a dress or top with that elastic that runs along the sleeves orbustline . There are plenty of embroidered items that simply can't be beat, and when you are trying your best to complement your curvy frame, look for decorative smocking designs instead.

Striped Pieces

Vertical stripes are always a very smart choice, and we're sure you'll agree! If you've been ignoring striped looks and you need a break from the plain and geometric, this is it.