Casino gaming is a very popular activity these days, particularly in its online form. Playing the games at an internet casino is something that can be done from the privacy and comfort of home.
That makes it ideal for people who live in places where there is no land-based casino within travelling distance. Even if you are lucky enough to have one of those nearby, it can be a chore to head out on dark and cold winter evenings.
It is not just the convenience of being able to play from home that has made online casinos popular though. They often have a wider choice of games, as well as a range of bonuses including free spins for both new and returning players.
Then there is the absence of a dress code. People can find those intimidating, so playing at home feels altogether easier.
This article will examine the standard land-based casino dress codes, so you know what to wear if you ever decide to try one out.
Why Visit a Land-Based Casino?
The fact is that many people do make the choice to visit land-based casinos – despite all of the benefits of online ones listed above. There are good reasons why they do so too.
One thing that they enjoy about the experience is the sociability of it. Going to a casino in the real world is a chance to meet other people who like the games. Plus there is something special about getting a win while others are there to witness it.
Then there is the chance to dress up for a night out that land-based casinos offer. People who want an evening that is a bit classier than going to a pub or a club often choose the casino as their alternative.
This is the opposite of being intimidated by the dress code – these people revel in it. They want the chance to look and feel glamorous, like something out of a James Bond movie.
Whatever your feelings about dress codes are, it is something you must consider if going to a casino. Fortunately most venues have more relaxed codes than you might imagine.
Casino Dress Code Basics
The first thing to bear in mind is that each individual casino will have its own code regarding dress. For that reason, you should always check out its website before paying a visit, as that will detail any requirements.
There are certain standard practices for most casinos in terms of what clothes are acceptable though. The only differences will be the really big, luxury casinos, where the codes are generally stricter.
- Daytime
Land-based casinos generally expect people to wear ‘smart casual’ attire during the day. That is quite a vague descriptor but it does have limits. Smart casual tops can include a shirt (for men) and a blouse (for women), but t-shirts are a bit too casual.
It can mean slacks, chinos or jeans as well as a sensible skirt, but these must be clean and tidy. Acceptable footwear includes black or brown shoes, loafers and flats – but not trainers. Again, these should always be clean and polished though.
- Night
Something that may surprise you is that the clothing rules during the evening are much the same as those for the day. If you turn up to a casino at night wearing a smart casual outfit, you will pass the dress code on most occasions.
That might come as a disappointment if your vision of casinos is taken from Bond movies, but there is nothing to prevent you from dressing up a bit. No reputable casino will bar entry to people for being too well-dressed – especially if they have booked it for a special event.
If you are attending a casino party, there are a couple of options that will let you pass the dress code:
- Semi-formal
For a man, semi-formal means a dark tailored suit with shirt, tie and a pair of polished dress shoes.
For a woman, it can mean a cocktail dress or a little black one. A sophisticated pantsuit will also work very well in this kind of dress code situation.
The shoes will depend on the rest of the outfit. If you are wearing a dress, heels will look better, but flats will go fine with a pantsuit or a blouse and slacks.
- Formal
This is the strictest type of clothing requirement for a casino event. Formal attire for men means full evening dress with either black or white tie (the latter is the high fashion choice).
For women, it means a ball gown or a full-length dress, with high heels and accessories like jewels.
Casino clothing codes are often quite relaxed these days, but there is room to dress to the nines if you want to.
