Dress Code

Not so long ago, fashion and Vegas went together like a highball and temperance. Leather-skinned matrons in sequined halter tops were de rigueur, suavely accompanied by their Sansabelt suitors. You’ll still see these sparkling beetles lurking by the nickel slots, but the general state of dress in Vegas has gone upscale, if not quite refined. If you want to look the part, here are a few words to the wise.

When the sun’s up in Vegas, anything goes. That said, the floor of a casino is an entirely different locale than your home town. If you’re just out for sightseeing, then your normal weekend attire should suffice. But if you plan on spending serious time at the tables, you might want to lose the shorts. Casinos tend to keep their temperatures cool, especially as the weather heats up outside, so a pair of pants will ensure the only goose bumps you get will be from rolling a hard eight.

Evening is a different ballgame, however. Without accounting for personal style, if you’re not sure, simplify. You may not stand out in black, but you won’t be ridiculed either. If you’ve scammed the tables and your pockets are flush, visit any of the Strip’s themed shopping malls, from Caesars Forum Shops to Via Bellagio, and get your kit together. The general theme might seem overwhelmingly Italian, from the club kid looks of Diesel to the grown up international luxe of Gucci and Prada, but you don’t need to go overboard. You’re not gonna be thrown out of most places for looking too nice, so err on the side of sophistication and you’ll do just fine.