Half the fun of a casino night is getting dressed up for it. There's something about a roulette wheel that makes people want to look like they've stepped out of a film.
This guide is for both sides. If you're hosting, it'll help you pick a dress code and explain it. If you're a guest, it'll help you work out what on earth smart casino actually means.
For hosts: say it clearly
The biggest mistake hosts make is being vague. Smart, glam or dress to impress mean different things to different people. One guest turns up in a tuxedo, another in jeans and a nice shirt, and both feel awkward.
Pick a clear dress code and put it on the invitation in plain words. If you're happy for people to interpret it loosely, say that too. Something like black tie optional, or dress up as much as you like, takes the pressure off people who don't own a dinner jacket.
If you've got a theme, add a line or two of ideas to the invite. A few suggestions (feathers and pearls for Gatsby, sequins for Vegas) gets far more people joining in than a theme name on its own.
Black tie
The classic casino look. For men, a dinner jacket (tuxedo) with a white dress shirt, black bow tie and black shoes. For women, a floor length gown or a smart cocktail dress.
Black tie suits awards dinners, charity balls, Bond nights and Monte Carlo themes. It makes the whole room look smart, and photos come out brilliantly. Most people can hire a dinner jacket if they don't own one, so give guests plenty of notice.
Cocktail or smart
A step down from black tie, and a safe choice for office parties and birthdays. Suits or a smart blazer with trousers for men, ties optional. Cocktail dresses, smart jumpsuits or dressy separates for women.
It's dressy enough to feel like an occasion, but nobody needs to hire anything. If you're not sure what to choose for your event, this is usually it.
Bond
Black tie with attitude. Men in dinner jackets, maybe a white one if they're feeling bold. Women in elegant evening gowns, often in black, red or gold. Some guests like to come as a villain, which adds a bit of fun.
Accessories help: cufflinks, a sleek clutch, statement earrings. Leave the toy guns at home, though. Venues aren't keen.
Vegas
This is the one where anything goes. Sequins, sparkle, loud shirts, gold jackets. Some people come as Elvis, some as showgirls, some as high rollers in sharp suits and sunglasses.
Vegas is a good choice if you want people to have fun with their outfits without spending a fortune. Charity shops are great for this.
Monte Carlo
Classic European glamour. Think the Riviera in the 1960s: tuxedos, silk gowns, pearls and immaculate hair. It's quieter and more elegant than Vegas, and it's very much evening wear.
Monte Carlo is popular for weddings and smart dinners. Colours tend to be black, white, navy and silver.
Great Gatsby
The 1920s. For women, flapper dresses with fringing and beads, feather headbands, long pearls and T-bar shoes. For men, three piece suits, braces, bow ties, flat caps or trilbies and two tone shoes.
Gatsby takes a bit more effort than the others, so give guests plenty of notice. Fancy dress shops and online sellers have plenty of options. Even a feather or a string of pearls shows willing.
Tips for guests
If the invite says black tie, go black tie. You'll feel worse underdressed than overdressed. If it's vague, ask the host. They'd much rather you asked.
Wear shoes you can stand in. Casino tables are often played standing up, and you could be on your feet at the roulette wheel for a while. And avoid big floppy sleeves or dangling jewellery that might knock chips over. The croupiers will thank you.
Dressing for comfort
A casino night can be a long evening, so think about comfort as well as looks. Venues get warm once the room fills up, especially round a busy roulette table. Layers help. A jacket you can take off, or a wrap you can lose, saves you overheating by ten o'clock.
If you're dancing later, bring a spare pair of flat shoes. Plenty of people do, and nobody minds seeing a pair of trainers under a ball gown at midnight.
And keep pockets or a small bag handy for your fun money and chips. You'll want both hands free at the blackjack table.
What the croupiers wear
Croupiers usually wear smart casino dress, often waistcoats, bow ties or black evening wear. It fits with pretty much any theme. If you've got something specific in mind, ask when you book and we'll check what's possible.
For more theme ideas, take a look at our themed casino nights and our casino themed party ideas. When you're ready, get a quote.
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