Fashion critics and industry insiders are always on the lookout for avant-garde, envelope pushing, outre looks that either launch a thousand knock-offs or are never worn off a runway.

Washington Post fashion critic Robin Givhan has certainly seen a lot of looks, but defining what a fashion risk can still be a challenge. When asked, she settled on this:

A fashion risk is “knowing what expectations are and simply refusing to follow them.”

Givhan thinks D.C.’s conservative fashion reputation is fueled by the political portions of the town and the potential moral implications of spending a lot of money on clothes.

Personally, she admits to taking more risks when she’s traveling with the “fashion pack” in New York or Paris than she does at home in D.C. But when she receives an invitation that calls for “cocktail attire” it means Givhan will bring her A-game.

When you have the option of wearing something sparkly, it’s “like when you have the opportunity to drink champagne,” she noted.

“You should.”