To suit or not to suit, that is the question; well it is for many people who visit casinos. While some of the more prestigious European venues demand a certain dress code, you’re unlikely to be stopped at the door of any American (or indeed many UK) establishments for not ‘dressing appropriately’.

All this leaves the question of what to wear unanswered: if there is no formal dress code, then what outfit should you select for a night out at a casino? Whether you’re a fresh-faced novice looking to play in a real, not online casino, for the first time, or a seasoned poker pro, you no longer need to worry about your casino attire, simply take a lead from some of the most famous characters ever to grace the casino floor.

Raoul Duke

One of the more bizarre casino films of recent times, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, was based on the infamous book of the same name by legendary gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson. Featuring some peculiar, weird, and downright eccentric scenes, the film follows Raoul Duke and his companion Dr Gonzo as they make two visits to Las Vegas.

Duke’s outfit is arguably as strange as the film itself; to complete this look you will need: a Hawaiian shirt, white shorts, long socks (pulled up to the knee) and white tennis shoes. Also, don’t forget outrageous sunglasses (preferably with yellow-tinted lenses) and a green visor or white sun hat. You may get a few odd glances, especially if you’re clutching a large typewriter, but as Duke says “It’s alright, learn to enjoy losing”.

James Bond

Over the years Bond has sported a number of different tuxedos when visiting casinos. From the white dinner jackets worn by Sean Connery and the double-breasted versions sported by Roger Moore, to the super-stylish black tux modelled by Daniel Craig, you simply can’t go wrong with a good dinner suit; however, it’s probably best to avoid the frilly shirts worn by George Lazenby.

Rusty Ryan

Brad Pitt’s character in Ocean’s Eleven is an extremely stylish guy; if you’re all about sharp suits and even sharper conversation then this is the perfect look for you. Follow Rusty’s lead and get yourself a high collared shirt (collar on the outside of your suit jacket), a shiny well-cut suit and forget about the tie. To complete the look, make sure you pick up some fast food, after all Rusty is eating or drinking in nearly every scene in the film.

Nicky Santoro

Who could forget Joe Pesci’s memorising performance in Martin Scorsese’s masterpiece Casino? Like Rusty, Pesci’s character, the psychotic Nick Santoro, is also a fan of the tailored suit; however, he always wears his with a tie (presumably in case he needs to use it to choke somebody).

The full suit is an obvious choice for many casino-goers, however, if you opt for Nicky’s style make sure you don’t get too much into character, after all this is a guy who flies into a murderous rage at a drop of a hat and who’s favourite weapon is literally anything that’s closest to hand.

Alan Garner

If you like to feel a little more casual, how about following Alan’s lead? This iconic character from The Hangover, portrayed by famously hirsute actor and comedian Zach Galifianakis, wears sandals, chinos, a t-shirt (tucked in of course) and, most importantly of all, a man bag (although as Alan says “it’s not a man purse, it’s a satchel”). If you’re feeling even more daring how about strapping a baby (preferably named Carlos) to your chest. A beard is essential for this classic look.

Hopefully this article will help you begin to navigate the complex etiquette surrounding casino clothing. You could, of course, just wear you regular clothes but where’s the fun in that? If none of the above takes your fancy, why not go down the route made famous by The Dude and stick to a dressing gown; you may, however, might be better playing slots or other games in an online casino if this is your outfit of choice.