Gambling with Fashion - Black Tie for Blackjack
The mere mention of casino conjures up images of sophistication and high class, with ladies donning cocktail dresses and men looking dapper in a smart tux.
However, dress codes aren’t the same in every casino, and you could get caught out wearing the wrong clothes if you don’t check in advance.
Here’s a look at fashion in casinos, particularly whether the romance of the black-tie and tux has been lost forever.
Sophisticated Evening Wear
Most casinos have a dress code, and at the most traditional, this means formal attire, particularly if you’re going in the evening.
In the past, the casino was the place to show off your wealth, with women accessorising designer dresses with expensive jewels. Casinos often featured in catwalk shows and designer collections, such as their influence on evening wear.
Stars such as Frank Sinatra rocked the tux with style, while fictional characters like James Bond made black ties alluring.
There are still some casinos that expect visitors to dress for the occasion; this is especially the case if you’re playing in VIP rooms. In the more general playing areas, a tux for the men isn’t absolutely essential, but a collared shirt, jacket and smart trousers are still required. The choice for ladies is much broader, but a golden rule to observe is: less is more. In other words, if your outfit is too revealing, you may be refused entry. It’s still possible to look sexy without lots of bare skin, so choose an elegant look rather than clubbing wear.
A Changing Scene
Tuxes and evening wear are the conventional way to dress for the casino, but many fear this is a dying tradition. Formal wear is no longer the norm everywhere as many casinos have relaxed their rules.
This is very much an individual approach, so it’s vital to check carefully at whatever casino you plan on visiting. For example, in Macau, it’s not mandatory to don a tux or a cocktail dress, but if you turn up in shorts, you won’t get in – no matter how hot it is outside.
This approach is far more common; think smart casual, and you should be fine. Themed nights or VIP areas might be slightly different, but in general, a pair of loafers, collared shirt and smart trousers is acceptable for men, with similarly smart attire for the women.
However, some casinos have swung far more liberally and now barely have any dress code at all. This is typically the case in Vegas, where it’s possible to find players in the many casinos wearing jeans and a T-shirt.
Although having a casual dress code makes it easier to pop into a casino after you’ve been out shopping, for example, many feel that this diminishes the experience. For this reason, lots of people still prefer to dress smartly for the casino, especially for an evening session.
An Easier Solution
Visiting a casino will never lose its attraction and if you’re in Quebec or Montreal, a night at the casino can turn out to be an excellent source of entertainment. However, it’s fair to say that it can be stressful trying to figure out what to wear, and if you’re not in the mood to dress up to the nines, the idea can feel exhausting.
A great alternative is playing one of the many live casino games, a relatively new type of play that blends the casino atmosphere with the convenience of being at home. You don’t need to slide into a tux or a cocktail dress when you want to play, just log in and choose your game!
There is a considerable amount of choice with live online casino play with traditional games such as online roulette and online blackjack, accompanied by a myriad of new titles and more being released all the time.
Of course, if you really miss the fun of dressing up, there’s nothing to stop you from creating a full casino experience in your own home – complete with a full suite of evening wear and cocktails!
