There is no denying that fashion is intricately linked to casinos. While most people don’t think about casinos and fashion as particularly connected, throughout history gamblers have all dressed in a certain way. Obviously, different cultures have had different norms in regards to dress. But, with the world becoming ever more connected, gambling fashion is largely becoming homogenized. In this article, we’d like to look at the common and popular fashion trends in the world of casinos.
European Fashion Norms
Most people associate the “classic” or “old-school” casino attire with European casinos. For good reason too, as the European casinos are some of the oldest in the world. Of course, nowadays, people who play at casinos don’t even have to take off their pajamas. This is thanks to the numerous European online casino platforms, which have made gambling a lot more accessible.
However, once upon a time, European gambling establishments had incredible strict dress codes. To the point that, if you did not match the description, you were stopped at the gate. So, what is the classic casino attire?
Of course, it differs for men and women. Men were expected to wear dress shoes in tandem with a suit and tie. Some casinos took it to the next level and even demanded a blazer of some kind. Many of the fancier gambling establishments had a strict “no tie = no business” policy.
Women on the other hand were expected to wear a cocktail dress. Depending on the casino, rules regarding to how revealing the dress is would change. Nowadays, a lot of these rules have been largely relaxed. However, plenty of high-end casinos throughout Europe still stick to the classic dress code.
Modern Fashion Norms
As casinos have largely grown in popularity, the attire demands have largely relaxed. While a lot of modern casinos still have a dress code, it is nowhere near as strict as it once was. For example, if you are a leather jacket kind of guy, you can definitely find casinos that accept, even encourage an “alternative” dress code, embracing a lot of leather, denim, and more “street wear” types of clothes.
A lot of casinos have done away with dress codes all together. There are plenty of establishments where you can go dressed in comfy sweatpants and sweatshirts. Some are even open to accepting people in sportswear. All of this has been done in an effort to make casinos more inclusive, as the old-school casinos have, largely, been accused of “gatekeeping” and classism.
What Influences Casino Attire?
We’ve discussed casino fashion, but many might wonder what it is that influences these trends? Well, there are several things that we could look at as factors. For one, casino fashion is always a reflection of the times. Once upon a time, only the high class could even afford a trip to the casino. Understandably, the dress codes were a lot stricter than, as the high class attendees could afford to dress up in fancy gowns and fine-tailored suits.
Nowadays, however, casinos are a lot more affordable and accessible. Which means that these establishments have the potential to attract a much larger customer base. However, if said customers cannot afford to dress for the occasion, then they would be stopped at the door. Hence, casinos have loosened their dress code demands, and some have completely done away with them.
Just like all walks of life, casino attire is largely influenced by the surrounding pop culture. Many people try to emulate their favorite celebrities when they visit a casino. Some just dress however they would dress if they were going out on a date or in the club. For the most part, a casino has become just another “hangout spot” for most people. That is part of the reason why a lot of casinos nowadays are much more successful than they’ve ever been.
Closing Statements
Whether we like to admit it or not, all of us are deeply embroiled in the fashion world. We may not keep up with the latest trends, but we definitely have our own unique style and fashion sense. Casino goers are no different. Whether they know it or not, casino visitations deeply affect the way they dress.
