As much as I love an ugly Christmas sweater party, a small part of me still cringes at just how wacky they can be. There's a very fine line between 'ugly Christmas sweater' and 'playful holiday get-up' – but I think these fun holiday sweaters strike the perfect balance of the two. They're all colorful, festive, and so much fun to wear to any and every holiday get-together you've got going this year.
Anthropologie
With 'tinsel' literally in this sweater's name, you'll be making a shiny statement wherever you wear this piece. It also comes in silver, gold, navy blue, and brown to suit your personal holiday style.
Abercrombie & Fitch
This femme 'fit boasts a bow that's reminiscent of holiday gifts and all things merry. It only helps that this sweater is super soft to the touch!
Urban Outfitters
This sweet holiday sweater has an adorable reindeer design along the front, so it's instantly going to fit in for any holiday party. You can also snag the pair of matching shorts to complete the coziness if you'd rather stay in.
Urban Outfitters
With this sweater, you'll literally be a star. The color palette challenges holiday tradition in the best way, though you could totally make it a better fit for a party with a black mini skirt, tights, and metallic boots.
Anthropologie
Oh, so fancy! This cardi's collar is lined with faux fur to make it feel ultra-luxe. Layer it over your best party dress, and voila!
Nordstrom
Bring on more bows, please! This tie-up cardigan secures with two oversized velvet bows that speak to the holiday season flawlessly.
Gap Factory
Snoopy is truly a holiday icon, especially in his dramatic puffer jacket. Don the famous dog on this cozy sweatshirt – it's so much cuter than an ugly Christmas sweater, plus you'll earn mega compliments (everyone loves Snoop!) wearing it.
Free People
This fuzzy sweater is downright festive, thanks to the traditional stripes across the top half. We love it because it still leans very 'holiday,' but isn't explicitly so, since the color palette isn't just reds and greens.
Nordstrom
Espresso martinis are a hallmark of the holiday season, and you simply can't change our minds on that. Get playful with your holiday sweater selection with this design that evokes a happy hour at any time of day, especially on a holiday break away from school or work!
Free People
You'll be able to get a lot of wear out of this sweet red sweater around the holidays! The slouchy fit is ideal for pairing with even more winter layers to stay warm.
American Eagle
With Christmas' favorite villain on it, this super-soft sweater will always be in style around the holidays.
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Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.
Fans of Fourth Wing are on pins and needles because Rebecca Yarros just announced she's finished writing the third book in the Empyrean series! It's us, we're fans — along with over half of BookTok.
We can't believe we're getting closer to reading more about Violet Sorrengail's journey, but we know you have a ton of burning questions about the release date for Book No. 3.
We may not have all the answers, but we've done a little digging to share as much as we can because who doesn't want to know what Rebecca Yarros has been up to?
Amazon
I'm not going to lie to you. The editorial team, including myself, are extremely biased about Fourth Wingand Iron Flame. From my perspective, I think these are great books for anyone who had the pleasure of growing up during the great Harry Potter era and moved on to watchingGame of Thrones and House of Dragons.
YES! Book No. 3 is titled Oynx Storm.
Knowing what we do about the manifestation of Violet's powers, I think this could hint she's going to play an even larger role in the series. According to a fan theory shared on TikTok(via Empyrean Riders), it's believed that Violet and Xaden Riorson are actually gods. Stay with me here.
Empyrean Riders noted that Violet's last name means heavenly and that she's able to control time thanks to her connection to the young dragon Andarna (I love her so much!). That sounds pretty god-like to me.
And when asked which two Taylor Swift songs describe Onyx Storm, Rebecca Yarros chose "Who's Afraid of Little Old Me?" from The Tortured Poets Department and "So It Goes..." from Reputation. "Who's Afraid of Little Old Me?" is one of Taylor's most powerful songs and definitely translates the idea that Violet's powers are going to be stronger than ever, while "So It Goes..." is equal parts suspense and seduction, and is TOTALLY about "all the pieces fall right into place" to get together with the right person.
There's so much more to unpack so I suggest grabbing a yummy snack while you fall down the rabbit hole. All I'm sure of is that Onyx Storm is going to leave our emotions in shambles just like Fourth Wing and Iron Flame did.
Rebecca Yarros/Instagram
On June 17, Rebecca Yarros shared this image of her laptop to indicate she'd finished the third book in the Empyrean series.
She wrote, "(Pic from one of the very many locations in which this book was written)," towards the end of the caption before adding a few relevant hashtags to it.
Rebecca Yarros exclusively told Good Morning America that fans can expect the book to hit shelves January 21, 2025! That gives us a little over six months to prepare our emotions for what's sure to be a storm of a book.
She said, "There will be politics, new adventures, old enemies and of course, dragons." There's no way she could forget the dragons because I'd willingly riot over them. They deserve to have their stories told forever.
As luck would have it, Cosmopolitan received an exciting first look at what's to come in Onyx Storm. The excerpt begins with Violet realizing the Venin have found their way into Basgiath War College and are wreaking havoc. Alongside Rhiannon, Sawyer, and Ridoc, she races to stop the Venin from releasing Jack Barlowe from his prison cell.
However, Violet's shocked when she discovered one of the "dark wielders" has a long silver braid that closely resembles her own. Before she can fully react, the woman disappears. According to Screen Rant, there are possible theories about why Violet saw her and what this means for her growing power.
Towards the end of the excerpt, Violet discovers the Venin want to capture her too. Also, Xaden makes his long-awaited appearance and it's clear their playful banter in the face of danger hasn't changed. That he hasn't fully changed into the Venin Violet's used to seeing.
I officially can't wait to read the rest of the book in January!
Today/Bree Archer, Elizabeth Turner Stokes for Entangled Publishing
Onyx Storm
Yes!
TODAY received an exclusive look at the cover for Onyx Storm and it doesn't disappoint! Unlike its predecessors, it appears Rebecca Yarros is hinting that darker events will take place.
Fans of the Empyrean series aren't the only ones who are excited to see what fate has in store for our favorite characters though. In a statement to TODAY, Rebecca revealed how elated she is to be working on the series again. "It's amazing to be back with these characters again. She also said, ""I can't wait for readers to see what Violet, Xaden, and the rest of the quadrant have in store for them in Onyx Storm!"
Are you excited for the release of Onyx Storm? Follow us on Facebook for more entertainment news!
Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.
This post has been updated.
Since I'm never growing past 5'2, I might as well set my sights on petite dresses I know will work for me instead of making trips to the tailor. The only time I'm willing to break this rule is when buying jeans and pants though — shh, it's our secret!
I'm willing to bet you're still planning your Thanksgiving and party outfits so I've rounded up 10 of the most flattering dresses to save you the trouble of endless scrolling.
Ann Taylor
Classic fall outfits are always going to get us through the cooler season because they're effortless, like this striped knit dress. Using it as a base, you can add a lightweight trench coat for rainy days or a wool number when you need extra warmth. Next up, step into a pair of knee high boots and voilá! You'll have a low-fuss outfit that still looks chic.
Anthropologie
I've already added this dress to my wishlist because it's so pretty. I love anything that looks super feminine or frilly so this is one of those petite dresses I could wear every week if I had the chance. If you're on the hunt for anything that puts your other sweater dresses to shame, I highly recommend you buy this tulle mini dress!
Boden
The edit team at Brit + Co loves colorful pieces, which is why this metallic dress is beckoning to me. Besides the shimmery flecks, the expertly placed shades of hunter green, bubblegum pink, marigold, magenta, maroon, and cerulean blue are gorgeous.
I imagine this is something Ms. Frizzle would wear if she were in the modern world, and I mean that in the best way ever.
Anthropologie
This is the ultimate party dress for the girl who needs the perfect choice for the holidays. It's giving modern brocade and I'm 100 percent ready for it to appear in my closet. Even if I can't get my hands on it, I sincerely hope you can because you'd look stunning in it.
Just look at the fit & flare fit. It's known for being one of the most flattering designs for all body types and it happens to make us petite girls look like we're floating from one room to the next.
ASOS
To you, animal print during fall is like wearing florals during spring; you have to have it. I don't blame you because it's basically a neutral print that you can build several outfits around. This dress has a little bit of leopard and cheetah print mixed together for something that feels fresher than what we've seen, meaning it could very well work in your favor.
MANGO
But if you don't care about mixing animal prints, stick with the tried and true leopard pattern us millennials love so much. You seriously can't go wrong, considering this dress happens to get the pattern and color just right (meaning it doesn't look cartoonish). Plus, it's begging you to throw a denim or trench coat over your shoulders.
Lane Bryant
I'm a firm believer that petite styles aren't reserved for one body type so I couldn't wait to share this cute dress with you! It has that familiar fit & flare fit I mentioned earlier, plus there's a bit of shimmer if you need something that feels holiday-friendly.
Kohl's
Let's keep the party going with this all-over sequin dress from Lauren Conrad's collection at Kohl's. This simple swing dress can be paired with black tights and heels that feature a diamante moment.
PrettyLittleThing
Want a petite dress that feels a little more structured? Check out this cute velvet dress! It's designed to cinch your waist while flaring out your hips to create something that doesn't feel like you're reliving that one dress you used to wear to the club.
Anthropologie
Maxi dresses can be a hit or miss for petite girls, but this dress works exceptionally well. It'll stop right before your ankles instead of dragging the floor, giving you one of the best fall dresses you'll own. I'm biased because I think everyone should have at least one black maxi dress in their closet that's not ribbed or fitted. Though those options serve their purpose, especially on cozy days, I think flared or flowing dresses have an appeal that complements fall.
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Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.
Marvel movies are known for their heroes and their hopeful outlook on the world. But in 2025, we're getting a brand new team: the Thunderbolts. This team is made up of antiheroes and former villains, and it's sure to be the wackiest and strangest, as well as one of the most memorable, superhero movies we've seen in recent years.
Marvel Studios/YouTube
Thunderbolts* comes out this May, and the cast just showed off some brand new footage at the D23 convention — and thanks to the new 'Celebrating 85 Years' spot, we have the first look too!
We get a look at Bucky Barnes, The Red Guardian, John Walker, and Ghost. Plus, Yelena Belova, of course. This heartbreaking detail about Yelena's new look connects Florence Pugh's Yelena to Scarlett Johansson's Natashaand I'm WEEPING.
Marvel Studios/Walt Disney Studios
And at D23 Brazil, we got a brand new look at my new favorite team. "There’s something in this film, in terms of superpowers and superheroes, that shows that our superpowers lie in how ‘broken’ we are," David Harbour said at the event. "As if our superpowers came from our relationships.”
Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney
Consider Thunderbolts* to be The Avengers' edgy younger sibling. The movie follows Yelena Belova (who we know off the bat is a "depressed assassin" thanks to a Marvel Studios press release). She's joined by Bucky Barnes, The Red Guardian, and John Walker. Based on a leak, it looks like we'll see this group of misfits team up against Valentina Allegra de Fontaine after she sends them on a deadly mission.
Jesse Grant/Disney
Thunderbolts* hits theaters May 2, 2025.
Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney
Thunderbolts* stars Florence Pugh, Geraldine Viswanathan, Lewis Pullman, Hannah John-Kamen, Wyatt Russell, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Sebastian Stan, and David Harbour.
This is a huge cast, and Viswanathan just revealed how crazy the first day of filming was. “My first day didn’t feel real," she tells Vanity Fair. "I felt this extra pressure of, ‘Know your lines, babe. You can’t really play around like you usually do.’"
Historically, sci-fi fans haven't been kind to actresses in their favorite projects (remember when Star Wars fans bullied Kelly Marie Tran off social media?). But Viswanathan is already thinking ahead. “If it’s overwhelming, I’ll log off. But I like discourse around pop culture,” she says. “[Thunderbolts*] felt a little bit edgier and fresher, more existential and dark.”
Jesse Grant/Disney
The rest of the cast also enjoyed working together. “Everyone is going to f—kin’ love me! It’s really, really, really fun to be with a group of actors that you have a good time with," Wyatt Russell says at Comic Con (via Variety), while David Harbour adds, “Florence Pugh [is] just electric to work with. There’s warmth and humor, but there’s also a lot of pathos.”
“This is why we can't stop laughing together, because we genuinely just had such a wonderful time with each other and we've loved working with one another," Pugh tells People. “I feel like this is something that we've never seen before from Marvel...it's a very open and honest and truthful idea. And I'm just really excited for people to watch it.”
Are you excited for this brand new chapter in the MCU? I really feel like Thunderbolts* will usher in a whole new generation of fans and I, for one, CANNOT WAIT! Let us know your thoughts on Facebook.
Lead images via Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney
This post has been updated.
