Investigating Dress Code and Atmosphere
Find out if the casino has a dress code. Some casinos have strict dress codes, so check before you leave--you don’t want to find out that you need a suit jacket after you arrive! You can call the casino directly or go to their website. Common dress code terms include black tie, formal, semiformal, dressy casual or casual chic, and casual. If you aren’t sure what these mean, don’t be afraid to ask!
Research the casino’s atmosphere. Find out what kind of atmosphere the casino has. The decor, presentation, and look of the casino will influence your choice of outfit. If it’s got a vintage 1950s theme, you might want to try your classiest vintage look, for example. Check the website for pictures of the casino's interior to get an idea of the level of formality. Pictures of patrons or employees in suits, elegant interiors, and high-end food and drinks are all clues that the casino is more formal. If the casino presents itself as a fancy place to spend a glamorous night out, you may want to wear black tie or formal even if it isn’t in the dress code. On the other hand, you may feel uncomfortable wearing a tuxedo in a casual barge casino that advertises an all-you-can-eat popcorn shrimp buffet.
Decide if you want to go anywhere else that night. Think about your entire night before you choose anything. If you plan to go for a fancy dinner or cocktails that same evening, that might make your outfit a little more formal than it would have been. Also, some casinos have attached nightclubs or restaurants with more formal dress codes than the actual gaming area.
Ask the other people in your party what they plan to wear. If you’re going with a date or with a group of people, it’s best if you all have about the same level of formality. If everybody else is going to wear black tie, you’ll look very out of place if you insist on wearing khakis and a polo shirt. Talk to your party and find out what they’re planning to wear. If your date or your friends plan to wear something that would be completely inappropriate (like jeans to a black-tie casino), don’t be afraid to speak up!
Set a clothing budget. You may already have the perfect outfit at home, but if you don’t, set a budget before you start shopping. A reasonable budget will depend on your finances and on what you’re planning to buy--for example, if you want to buy a tuxedo, $50 will not be enough. You can rent formalwear for men and women online or from special stores.
Choosing the Right Menswear
Look for fitted clothes. The most important element of a great outfit is fit. If it doesn’t fit you, it won’t look good, no matter how nice it is. Always buy clothes that fit you in the shoulders and waist, and has sleeves and legs that are the right height for you. Don’t worry if you’re having trouble finding something perfect--you can have most clothes altered!
Dress for a black-tie night out. If you’re going for black tie, you’ll need your very best clothes. Men should wear a black tuxedo with a white shirt--no ruffles, brightly-colored jackets, or flashy bow ties. You can wear a cummerbund in a darker, discreet color like burgundy, navy blue, or forest green. You can rent a tuxedo at any formalwear store. There is also a much more formal dress code called white tie, but it’s unlikely you’ll ever see it at a casino.
Choose a formal or semiformal suit. Formal and semiformal outfits don’t need to be as fancy as black-tie ones, but you should still make sure you look nice. Men should wear suits with ties. For semiformal, you can skip the tie, but be sure to wear a dress shirt and a blazer.
Wear slacks and a dress shirt for dressy-casual casinos. If you want to wear dressy-casual or casual chic (they mean the same thing), you can be a little less formal. Men can wear khakis and dress shirts or even jeans with a sportcoat. A good guideline is to think of something you would wear to a beach wedding, someone else’s graduation, or a nice lunch outing.
Pick shoes that match the formality your outfit. You will need to wear black dress shoes for formal and black-tie casinos, but you can wear other colors for semiformal and dressy-casual places. Your shoes should match the main color of your suit--black shoes for a black suit, brown for a brown suit, etc. Sneakers and flip-flops will almost never be appropriate for any casino. The only exceptions would be gaming bars and possibly beachfront casinos.
Choose accessories that complement your clothes. Menswear doesn't accessorize much, but the casino is a great place to try something a little out of the ordinary for you. Unless the casino has a very strict black tie dress code, you can wear jewel cufflinks, bright ties, and even bolo ties and cowboy hats to most casinos.
Keep a backup outfit in mind. It’s always a good idea to have a backup just in case. In the time leading up to your casino outing, you might lose or damage your clothes, go through a weight change, or simply just change your mind. Keep a backup outfit handy, or at least know where you can get a quick replacement.
Choosing Women's Clothes
Make sure your clothes are fitted. If your outfit doesn’t fit you, it won’t look good, no matter how nice it is. Before you choose an outfit, be sure it fits in the shoulders and waist, and that the hems and sleeves are at the right height for you. Most formalwear shops have a tailor on-hand to alter clothes if they aren't perfect.
Pick a black-tie gown. Black tie isn't as strict for women as it is for men, but you’ll still need your very best clothes. Women should wear a floor-length gown in a formal fabric like silk, satin, or velvet--no jersey, linen, or cotton blends. You can wear pretty much any color, especially black, white, neutrals, and jewel tones.
Choose a cocktail dress or pantsuit for formal or semi-formal casinos. Formal and semiformal outfits don’t need to be as fancy as black-tie ones, but you should still make sure you look nice. Women can wear a cocktail dress, a tea-length dress, or even a tuxedo-style pantsuit. Black dresses are very popular for formal and semiformal events, but any color is acceptable. Casinos are a great place to be a little flashy with your formalwear. Try incorporating sequins, lamé, or beading into your clothes.
Wear a sheath dress, dressy jeans, or a nice skirt to look dress-casual. If you want to wear dressy-casual or casual chic (they mean the same thing), you can be a little less formal. Women can wear a sheath dress, skirt, or even dressy jeans with a nice blouse. Dressy-casual is the same kind of clothing you would wear to a nice bar or to a daytime wedding.
Pick comfortable shoes that match your outfit's formality. For black-tie, formal, and semiformal, pumps, heeled sandals, and flats made of formal fabric are all okay. If you're going for something more casual, you can wear ballet flats, boots, or strappy sandals. Flip-flops and sneakers will almost never be appropriate to wear to a casino. Be sure you can walk comfortably in your shoes before you wear them out!
Choose flashy, glamorous accessories. A casino is a great place to wear jewelry and accessories you might not get to wear at similar formal events. A little glitz and glamor is expected, so have some fun with your accessories! Try wearing statement necklaces, lots of rings, and fancy hair clips.
Pick out a backup outfit. It’s always a good idea to have a second choice outfit in case you need it. In the time leading up to your casino outing, you might lose or damage your clothes, go through a weight change, or simply just change your mind.
Getting Dressed
Press or steam your outfit. The best tuxedo in the world will look terrible if it’s wrinkled and creased. Make sure your clothes are ironed, steamed, or dry-cleaned before you get ready. Check the label before you do anything, especially with formalwear--many items can’t be ironed or will need a special setting.
Keep your outfit hanging up until you’re ready to get dressed. After you’ve pressed your outfit, keep it hung neatly on its own hanger until you get dressed. Keep it in a garment bag and don’t stuff it into a crowded closet. You’ll have to wash and iron it all over again if it gets dusty or crumpled.
Polish your shoes (optional). Most men’s dress shoes and some women’s shoes will need to be polished before you wear them. If you’re unsure of polishing them yourself, take them to a cobbler or a high-end shoe store for treatment. If your shoes don’t need polishing, make sure they’re clean and free of scuffs, tears, or worn-out soles.
Check for fraying, tears, or stains. If your clothes are older or you haven’t worn them in awhile, check them to make sure there isn’t any fraying, holes, or stains. If there are, bring them to a tailor or dry-cleaner for help fixing them, or wear your backup outfit.
Make sure you've put your clothes on correctly. If you’re wearing something you aren’t used to, make sure you’ve got it on properly before you leave. Check for exposed bra straps, undone buttons and zippers, and bunched fabric. Have your date or a friend check you to make sure you look your best! New dress pants and vests almost always have the pockets sewn shut. Carefully cut them open with scissors before you go. The bottom button on a tuxedo jacket should be left undone.
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