The fashion choices that confront you when you are going to the casino are endless. Of course, there are certain things that you would never wear out of the house like your old boxers or your bathrobe. After that, though, the sky is really the limit for your clothing choices if you are hitting the poker tables or the rest of the casino. There are many factors that you need to consider when picking out your poker wardrobe. Location and stakes are the two biggest factors you need to keep in mind when choosing the right poker outfit.
There are many different places in which you can find a poker game going. Many people play at their friends’ houses, others play in casinos. The more serious players will engage in tournaments, often held in hotels in Vegas or other gambling havens. Each venue requires a different level of dress.
If you are playing at a friend’s house then casual clothing is the name of the game. Unless you are having some kind of a theme night, your favorite t-shirt and a pair of jeans is just the clothing choice that you are looking for. After all, they are your friends and you really don’t need to impress them.
Some casinos also adhere to the jeans and t-shirt mentality. A lot of small casinos, especially those away from metropolitan centers are often very casual. You may consider throwing a button up or a cardigan over your t-shirt, but generally these smaller places are very casual as well.
When you move into larger casinos or professional poker tournaments you might want to alter your dress. Some of the high stakes casinos actually have a dress code; check on their website before you go. Regardless of the dressing rules, in these situations you should dress to impress and intimidate. Don’t dress as though you have all the money in the world to lose, but look as though you can afford to gamble.
For men this usually means some sort of a button of shirt and slacks. The straight cut Oxford untucked over black or khaki pants is a popular look. If you can wear jeans or cords, a sports coat can add a devil-may-care look. Ties are not usually found, unless worn loosened. Generally hats are no longer allowed indoors at a casino; again you should check the rules.
Women, as always, have a much wider variety of fashion choices. Because traditionally women didn’t play much poker, there isn’t a defined “poker look” as of yet. However, a flattering top is always a great way to go. You might want to even consider a v-neck or a wrap dress as cleavage could be a potential distracter to your opponents. Unless you are in Monte Carlo itself, you might want to think of those shiny silk dresses and wear a similar cut but with a different, more casual fabric.
In general the level of play, or stakes wagered, is directly tied to the location. However, dress nicer for a high stakes game even if it is in a casual location.