Discussing weight is unavoidable, but not taboo.

“People around me get uncomfortable when I refer to myself as fat,” said Amanda Valdez, 27, of Fresno, Calif. She writes for the blog Fashion, Love, and Martinis. “I embrace the word ‘fat.’ Fat does not define me, it doesn’t define my character, or where I’ve been in my life. I am just another girl who is posting about her life and style, and I happen to be fat.”

These bloggers said they often bypass traditional stores like Lane Bryant, Ashley Stewart or Avenue in favor of more up-to-the-minute styles at ASOS Curve, Forever 21+ and vintage shops.

“I don’t shop a lot of the stores like Lane Bryant,” said Chastity Garner, 32, who lives in Dallas and blogs at the Curvy Girl’s Guide to Style. “I feel like those clothes are almost for the woman that just wants to put on something and not think about what they’re wearing. They look like fat-girl clothes. I want to bring out the body rather than hide the body.”

Ms. Gregg, who wants to start her own clothing line, said she has found her calling in fashion as a plus-size woman.

“Once I sized out of mainstream stores, I loved shopping more,” she said. “It was a challenge. Just because I was a certain size didn’t mean I was going to wear frumpy clothing. I want to show them there are other options. I say there are no rules for plus-size dressing.”