Visiting a casino is a fun experience, and dressing appropriately and comfortably can make it even better. Casino fashion is about more than just about looking good. It’s about creating the right atmosphere and maximising your time. By dressing appropriately, you show respect to the casino and feel confident. Whether going to a fancy or casual place, it’s important to dress smartly and comfortably.
A Brief History of Casino Fashion
The history of casino fashion dates back to the 19th century, when it was a demonstration of the wealthy elite. At the time, formal garments were:
- tuxedos for gentlemen;
- traditional evening dresses for women.
In the 1990s and 2000s, many gaming providers returned to more formal attire to re-establish themselves as high-end luxury destinations. However, there has been a shift towards casual clothing, with many game providers allowing visitors to wear more casual clothing. Today, it’s a mix of formal and informal, with designers taking inspiration from movie stars and casino culture to create stylish looks.
Understanding the Casino Dress Code
Casinos often have different dress codes depending on their atmosphere and theme. It is essential to review these guidelines before planning your visit. When you go to a high-end casino, it is crucial to dress in fashionable clothing. You may need a suit if you are a man or a lovely dress or evening gown if you are a woman.
If you’re going to a brick-and-mortar gambling establishment, wear casual clothing, such as a collared tweed jacket and trousers for men or a dress or blouse with a skirt or pants for girls. Sometimes, casinos have a special theme, and you may be asked to wear costumes or special clothing that matches that theme. General recommendations often include avoiding overly casual clothing such as T-shirts, shorts, and flip-flops. Additionally, some casinos may not allow sportswear, ripped jeans, or extremely revealing outfits. Compliance with the dress code will ensure a pleasant experience at the casino.
The influence of casinos on fashion
Casino and fashion have been closely connected for many years, and it can sometimes take time to untangle them enough to determine what influences what. There’s no doubt that the high fashion scene pays homage to casinos at times, and it makes sense because what they have in common is an undeniably glamorous aesthetic dedicated to luxury and class.
The link between clothing and gambling establishments is a long-standing one: the world’s most iconic luxury places like Monte Carlo, Vegas, and Macau have long imposed dress codes of varying severity for the people who visit them to maintain a glamorous edge.
When you visit iconic locations like Monte Carlo or Las Vegas, you enter a world of incredible wealth, where everyone dresses to show off their income. From employees such as croupiers to customers, everyone is expected to wear tuxedos or beautiful designer dresses. At the same time, at the finest casinos this long-standing tradition has helped to maintain the luxurious appeal they have always had.
Despite this, the dress code has been adapted to suit the latest fashions. An example of influence in action is how, over the years, gambling establishments have adopted codes encouraging tighter, more fitted suits for male patrons and shorter skirts and dresses for women.
- Chanel
But again, the influence goes both ways: iconic fashion house Chanel held a casino-inspired show at the Grand Palais, with a runway featuring images and clothing based on the latest dress code trends in modern casinos. The show even featured table games that visitors could play and was a prime example of how fashion and gambling can sometimes merge into one.
- Moschino
After the successful casino-inspired Chanel show, Moschino has taken it up a notch and brought its unique perspective. Moschino’s 2017 “Vegas” show featured game elements such as cards, dice, and roulette wheels in a dazzling and glamorous manner. Designer Jeremy Scott’s vision for the show was to celebrate the high-octane energy of Las Vegas and explore the glamour and excess often associated with the city.
- Michael Kors
The gambling industry has inspired fashion designers such as Michael Kors to create collections with gaming elements. He drew inspiration from the style and glamour of iconic Las Vegas performers such as Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley. For example, his 2011 resort collection featured clothes adorned with neon lights and glitter, reminiscent of the bright lights of a casino.
Film influence
The world of cinema and celebrity has always influenced fashion, with the James Bond franchise being a particularly notable example of this. Every new Bond film makes waves in the fashion world, and gambling establishments have always been a central theme, as they featured prominently in films like Casino Royale and other classic 007 movies.
Design houses like Chanel owe as much to James Bond’s black tuxedo look when he plays in a casino as they do to real-life dress codes when creating their clothes because it was Bond who helped make this look classic in the first place.
Real celebrities associated with the world of high fashion also rely on the experience of gambling when creating new collections. The latest example is Sex and the City star and fashion maven Sarah Jessica Parker, who made a line of ultra-shiny shoes known as The Strip Collection, which was inspired by the grand casinos of Las Vegas and quickly became popular.
