The very nature of fashion means that it changes over time. It is an industry that is meant to capture fleeting moments in time, when clothing combinations tap into cultural undercurrents and become trends.
Fashion never stays fixed: sometimes there is nothing more cringe-inducing than looking at the fashionable attire of the past. Then again, some clothing trends, like the 70s, outlast their moment of fashion to achieve lasting iconic status.
One trend that has been developing in fashion over the past few years has been a decrease in formality. That applies even to places that used to exercise strict dress codes, like casinos.
Maybe that is down to the rise of online casino , which gives people the freedom to play wearing anything they want. Whatever the reason, it is a definite thing though and one that we are going to explore further in this article.
The Battle Between Offline and Online
There is no question that online casinos have lit a fire under their land-based rivals. Offering people the chance to play all of the slots and table games they could want from the comfort of home and without the need to meet any dress codes, it is easy to see why the online sites are popular.
It means that land-based venues have felt the pressure to adapt and make themselves as welcoming as possible to a wide range of people. An obvious way to achieve that is to relax the dress codes necessary to gain entry.
This is simply casinos following wider trends within society now. In general people are less formal in what they wear and they are not as likely to really dress up to go out.
Land-based casinos may have adopted looser codes of dress to enable them to compete with those on the internet, but societal trends would probably have led it to happen anyway. So how exactly has casino fashion changed over the years?
Casino Fashion Changes
1960s
It could be argued that the 1960s was the first decade when people in the US really took to gambling at casinos. The fashion during the 60s was very different compared to today, with men wearing dress suits or tuxedos to play at the casinos of Las Vegas.
Women wore stylish evening gowns and dresses with minimal jewelry. The James Bond series launched during the 1960s and it had a big influence on our ideas about the right clothes to wear to a casino. The venues themselves also imposed much stricter dress rules.
1970s
The increasingly flamboyant and gender-bending fashions of the 1970s did not impact upon the casino world. The strict suit/tuxedo for men remained the dress norm for gambling throughout the decade.
In terms of female casino fashion, 1970s fashion represented the peak period for ostentatious outfits featuring fur. These are deeply unfashionable in the modern world and few women would be seen wearing them to a casino now.
1980s
The biggest shift that the 1980s brought to male casino fashion was a rise in popularity for Italian silk suits. Female fashion became less flashy, with fur already declining in popularity. For example, Madonna’s 1980s fashion style was bold and iconic, featuring layered clothing, lace gloves, fishnet stockings, oversized jewelry, and statement accessories like crucifixes and bangles.
In the 1980s, the rise of workout videos had a significant impact on fashion trends. The popularity of aerobic exercise led to a surge in demand for colorful and form-fitting workout attire. Leggings, leotards, sweatbands, and high-top sneakers became iconic staples of the ‘80s fitness fashion scene. This trend not only influenced activewear styles but also made its way into casual everyday clothing, showcasing a blend of comfort and bold aesthetics that defined the era.
1990s
Many people feel that the shift away dressing up for casino visits started during the 1990s – perhaps coincidentally the decade in which the first online casinos appeared. This was the time when ‘smart casual’ with simple shirt and pants became acceptable for men at a lot of casinos.
The 90s hair blowout fashion was known for its voluminous and bouncy hairstyles achieved through blow-drying techniques. This trend involved creating full-bodied hair with lots of volume and movement, often styled with big curls or waves. Celebrities like Jennifer Aniston and Cindy Crawford popularized this iconic look, which became a staple of 90s fashion, adding a touch of sophistication to any outfit.
That trend has accelerated during this century, although the really luxurious high end casinos do still tend to impose stricter dress codes. Outside of those establishments, there is little pressure to wear a tuxedo or glamorous full-length gown to go gambling now.
The only time you are likely to be expected to do that is if you gamble at places like Monte Carlo or Mayfair, but that does not mean dressing up for the casino is dead. Some people still like to show off their very best clothes.
That is partly because dressing in a stylish suit or glamorous gown will make you feel like a million dollars. The confidence that brings can really help when taking your chances at the blackjack table or roulette wheel.
It is also about the love of dressing up and embracing the cool retro styles of the past for some. James Bond has never gone out of fashion after all, so wearing a tuxedo to gamble has a timeless appeal.
Most casinos of today have differing rules depending on whether you visit during the day or at night. For the former, jeans and t-shirt are fine, but after dark people are expected to emphasize the ‘smart’ in smart casual.
Casinos are far more relaxed about clothes these days but there is nothing to stop you dressing up.