Gambling establishments have long been venues that have served as social gathering halls where people have tried to look their best. Naturally, when impressive funds get tossed around in an establishment daily, that attracts a higher-end crowd, and this is why casinos have developed a reputation as locales that boast opulence and luxury. Of course, this has not always been so, given that the first venues from this category were public buildings in Italy that did not resemble today’s Vegas-type gaming properties. Saloons in the Wild West that hosted faro games were also not spectacular in their décor. Yet, their patrons dressed up.
In the 1940s and the Clark County hotel expansion in Nevada, casinos started to take the shape we know them now. Since they have become so well-known for their grandeur and extravagance, visitors often wear upscale and fashionable clothing when visiting them. That has cultivated a style that has spilled over into popular fashion and is analyzed in the following sub-headings.
How The Ball Got Rolling
As noted above, modern casinos emerged in the early to mid-20th century. From the beginning, US legal gambling locales, initially only available in Nevada, attracted upper-class people, or those with disposable income, to play games of chance for money prizes. In this period, these individuals donned formal attire, or suits, hats, and ties for men. And classy dresses paired with gloves and shiny accessories for women.
In the 1950s, the Rat Pack (Peter Lawford, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Joey Bishop, and Angie Dickinson) were all the rage in Sin City, and they popularized sharp suits and sunglasses, making women wear cocktail dresses with statement jewelry. These outfits defined a sense of fun but aimed to maintain an aura of formalness and an upscale feel.
In the late 20th century, the early 1990s, Vegas announced the birth of the mega-resort era with the rise of the Venetian, and it was then that dress standards dropped. That occurred because gambling operators sought to accommodate a more varied patron pool. The inception of the digital sphere and $1 minimum deposit casino sites further affected the flair for fashion in Nevada’s most populous city and gambling properties worldwide. Currently, high-end fashion in gaming environments is only available at select spots like the Monte Carlo Casino, the Ritz in London, the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, and the Wynn in Vegas.
What Renowned Designers Have Gotten Inspired by Casinos?
Many have noted that Jean Paul Gaultier’s Spring/Summer 2001 collection featured elements that can be construed as gambling motifs, and the same holds for some Moschino and Paco Rabanne dresses. Tom Ford has always stuck to the sleek look often lined with casino pizzazz. And Christian Dior, too, has undoubtedly drawn inspiration from the City of Lights when creating numerous bold and extravagant designs.
What Expectations Exist in Premium Casinos?
Again, cocktail dresses and elegant evening gowns have become the norm at exclusive gambling establishments. These usually feature neutral colors, and the style and length of the dresses can vary. However, most women look to pair them with closed-toe, dressy heels. Accessories are encouraged, but these should be smooth.
For men, a lot has stayed the same over the years. Ties do not always get required. Yet, they are an appreciated touch, and they should lay over a white shirt coupled with a well-tailored suit. Leather dress shoes are also a tasteful addition, and aside from a nice-looking watch, guys are not expected to boast anything eye-catching.
What Is the Future of Casino Fashion?
Themed events are a hot trend, customarily incorporating retro or futuristic attire.
In general, casualization is a sector tendency, as relaxed codes get more widely adopted worldwide. Technology integration is also happening, as we will likely see higher levels of smart clothing integration, such as augmented reality glasses. Concerning the latter, it must be mentioned that metaverse casinos, or gaming locales active in virtual shared spaces, have caused massive waves in the past few years, and these have opened the doors for avatar-power computer-generated clothing, people expressing themselves using cyber fashion.
FAQs
How Have Casinos Influenced Fashion?
They have affected high-end fashion via captivating aesthetics that have helped produce bold, color-rich, and saturated clothing designs.
What Are Some Examples of Casino-Specific Motifs That Famed Designers Love?
Some of the more notable ones are card suits, dice, and roulette wheels. These have found their way into prints, embroideries, and various embellishments that evoke a gaming-like spirit.
What Has Maintained the Enduring Connection Between Fashion and Casinos?
It is the unique and creative expressions these industries use to captivate consumers chiefly through vibrant and exciting visuals. And this is what has allowed them to influence and inspire one another.
Final Thought
At first sight, these spheres, casinos, and fashion may not interlink, as they have different primary focuses. Nevertheless, seeing as that, at the very top of these two industries, individuals with excessive wealth sit, it should come as no surprise that they both emphasize extravagance. Hence, a connection is inescapable. That holds because to attract customers with deep pockets, all casinos must create a heightened sense of indulgence and sophistication.
Indirectly, that feeds fashion, as going to venues that facilitate high-stakes gambling becomes an event where visitors can express a personal style that represents their social status. That then drains into culture, fueling designers’ desires to infuse their creations with ideas from this world.