Casinos are known for their opulence, glitz, and glamor. While you might not see outfits on the catwalk that directly incorporate casino elements, you likely see outfits that take inspiration from the glamorous world of high-stakes betting. This is especially true of on-screen casinos, while the Las Vegas residencies of some of the world’s biggest stars can also creep into our everyday outfits.
While physical casinos are known for their luxury and opulence, online casinos offer convenience and ease. Even in jurisdictions where iGaming has not yet been regulated, offshore casinos prevail. Arizona sites, for example, are offshore casinos that offer all the benefits of online gambling – convenience, access, and generous bonuses.
But, according to online gambling experts, these sites use technologies like cryptocurrency to enable overseas and out-of-state payments that are even quicker and offer greater anonymity.
Anonymity is not something that a lot of physical casino players look for. A trip to the casino is generally viewed as an opportunity to get dressed up and put on a show. At least by some. This goes back to the days of early casinos, where there were stringent dress codes.
Men were required to wear tuxedos, or suits at the very least, and women were expected to dress in an equally smart manner. Think Pierce Brosnan and Famke Janssen meeting in the Casino de Monte Carlo in Goldeneye.
Tuxedos and long formal dresses became commonplace in traditional casinos and were seen as the epitome of sophistication. These outfits also found their way to catwalks, and many casino visitors wore similar outfits.
Although many venues have relaxed their dress codes today, you will still see players wearing similarly lavish outfits while playing their favourite table games.
Over time, however, those dress codes have been relaxed. This relaxation of requirements has been deemed necessary by casinos to drag players in, and players have responded positively.
When sitting down to play slot machines or blackjack for hours-long sessions, tuxedos and long dresses can be uncomfortable, especially in the hot environment of crowd-filled casinos.
Walk into casinos today and you’re as likely to see players donning shorts and sneakers as you are to see them in suits, especially during the day and especially at slots. Shorts and sneakers may not have been invented in casinos, but they are just as popular away from casino floors as on them.
Of course, it isn’t just bettors that we see in casinos. Showgirls emerged in 19th-century France, where they performed in songhalls and cabarets. El Rancho Vegas was the first casino on the Las Vegas Strip to introduce them as part of their variety shows.
Showgirls were meant as a diversion between casino acts, and their use was deemed a means of persuading players to remain in the casino itself, rather than head elsewhere for other entertainment. Showgirl outfits tend to be risque but still very glamorous, and this is a style that continues to enjoy some popularity.
Liberace, the father of the Las Vegas residency, arguably popularised the idea of residencies and entertainment shows in Las Vegas casinos. However, likely, the practice started sooner.
The first European casinos, especially Il Ridotto in Venice, hosted performers when they walked off stage and between acts, as well as guests before and after performances. It is likely that some form of show was put on to entertain the guests then. Liberace, though, was as famous for his flamboyant style as he was for his incredible piano skills. And flamboyant outfits aren’t rare for casino performers. The likes of the Backstreet Boys, Billy Idol, Shania Twain, Janet Jackson, and Cher have their own styles that have pervaded everyday life and found their way into everyday lives.
And, while we might not see too many roulette wheel-themed outfits on the streets, we do see some fashion shows that incorporate elements of casino style, or elements that are found in casinos.
For example, Dolce & Gabbana are not opposed to the use of playing cards in their outfit designs. The Queen of Hearts is one of the most recognizable of playing cards, and she, along with the Ace of Spades, has been featured on clothing designs as well as logos and motifs.
Colours associated with luck, fortune, and winning, for example, red, green, and gold, are also popular in fashion design. In some cases, these have been combined with the sequins and ostentatious elements of showgirl outfits to create what can only really be described as Vegas-themed fashion.
And, while it is rare to see dice and other casino items, you will see some outfits gracing catwalks that feature designs incorporating these items.