The holidays are fast approaching, but there's still time for last-minute outfit ideas. Here are some holiday trends local clothiers enjoy the most:

Tunics with leggings

There is no special art to wearing a tunic. They're not clingy, they come in all lengths and, therefore, it can be concluded that tunics offer the most breathing room when the wearer is faced with a holiday buffet or open bar.

A good place to experiment with trying on this trend is Jules Boutique in Goshen. Long and short tunics in colors ranging from basic black to deep purple are overflowing the racks of this store (read: Grab several to try on). And for the bold, there are even some pieces completely covered in sequins.

Jules owner Julie Rohn thinks tunics, whether bold or basic, look best when paired with leggings, especially if the tunic is shorter. First made popular by starlets such as Lindsay Lohan and Sienna Miller, leggings are becoming a big component of mainstream retail. Express in University Park Mall even has a wall o' leggings available in all sorts of winter-friendly colors and textures.

One myth about leggings is that the wearer must then have thin, Lohan-esque legs. Not true, said Rohn.

"Most people are fine" wearing leggings, Rohn said. "Tunics can be work with a real thick legging tight with a boot. Depending on the color, a sequined tunic and black legging with a suede boot would work."

Best place to splurge on a tunic that'll stand the test of time (and trends): Jules Boutique in Goshen, 130 S. Main St., Goshen, 535-1119.

Best place to buy a tunic for the sake of experimentation: Forever 21 in University Park Mall, 6501 Grape Road, Mishawaka, 277-2223.

Metallics

Metallics are a perennial trend -- gold, silver and copper-toned accessories never go out of style. During the holidays, however, metallic sheen tends to leak off bags and bracelets and find its way onto clothing pieces.

Disco-ball tops and gold-tinted jeans might seem a little much at first, said Stephenson's of Elkhart buyer Danny Reynolds, but the trick is to pick one shiny piece and mix it with wardrobe basics.

"The right item can make whatever you might already have in your wardrobe pop," Reynolds said. "You have to be willing to step outside your comfort zone a little bit to get that bling factor, which I think is what holiday dressing is all about."

Over every other holiday trend, metallics tend to require the biggest leap of faith. The secret, Reynolds said, is just to try something on. Even 17-year-old Jillian Elliot, a model for etruth's StyleFile, had to warm up to the idea of a sleeveless, cowl-neck top covered in silver sequin detailing.

"I thought it was really ugly," Jillian said. "But I tried it on and loved the way it fit and everything."

Gold "skinny jeans" -- slim-fit pants that taper slim to the ankle -- stand out in the Stephenson's winter collection, Reynolds said, but he sees an upcoming trend in wide-leg jeans as well.

Best place to buy a metallic piece that really stands out: Stephenson's of Elkhart, 211 S. Main St., Elkhart, (574) 294-6486.

Best place to buy a fun, shiny handbag (because you're just not ready for a silver shirt): Target, 3938 Midway Road, Goshen, (574) 875-6400.

An updated LBD

The Little Black Dress is a classic no matter what the season or occasion, but during the holidays it comes with a little more attitude.

One interesting trend is the trapeze-cut LBD -- basically, an A-line dress which drapes away from the body instead of hugging the waist. Trapeze shapes are trickier to pull off than most.

If sized incorrectly, the trapeze dress looks more like a potato sack instead of a classy frock. Case in point: A Google search for "trapeze dress" brings back a link titled "How to Make a Trapeze Dress from a Muumuu."

To avoid the scary house dress look, make sure the dress fits well at the shoulders and doesn't go below the knee.

Of the trapeze look, Reynolds said dresses with scooped necklines and chunky beading detail take the retro-relived trend into the 2000s.

"It definitely gets the mod theme but takes the mod theme in a new direction," Reynolds said. "It's casual but yet it's dressy casual."

If you're not into bubble hems or jeweled detailing, it's fine to stick with the basic LBD from Christmas past, too. Don't forsake a classic, figure-flattering look for a trendy-but-risky new one, Reynolds said.

"It's not so much what's in style," Reynolds said. "It's about what looks best for your figure."

Best place to find a funky, updated LBD: White House/Black Market in Heritage Square, 7220 Heritage Square Road, Granger, 277-2218.

Best place to find a classic LBD (maybe even one with sleeves): JCPenney in University Park Mall, 6501 Grape Road, Mishawaka, 277-6000.