How to Dress for Your First Poker Night, According to James Bond

Credit: Glyn Lowe Hamburg, Germany - Daniel Craig - Film Premiere Spectre 007 - on the Red Carpet in Berlin

After more than a year since the pandemic closed down entertainment and gaming places, the Georgia casino scene is slowly returning to normal. In fact, the Georgian government recently halved the cost of permits needed to operate casinos in Tbilisi and other parts, encouraging more establishments to reopen.

A more relaxed set of rules was also implemented last July. Therefore, if you’re looking to enter the poker scene, now is the perfect time. If you’re playing poker in a casino for the first time it is best to have a good understanding of the game. The last thing you want is to appear like a newbie. Professionals will pick on you if they can sense that you’re new.

Your dress sense is also important and will depend on the casino you are visiting - whether it is your local casino or the luxury casinos of Monte Carlo. And who better to turn to for inspiration than the high-fashion icon James Bond? After all, it was the high-stakes poker scenes of his 2006 film Casino Royale that inspired much of the drama and glamor that poker players are known for today.

Before stepping into the casino for your first poker night, consider these dressing tips from the stylish Agent 007.

Be classy in a black tuxedo

The most common image of James Bond is him in a tuxedo, and you can never go wrong in a luxury casino by following his suit (literally)! Combining class and simplicity, a black tuxedo will make you look like you belong at a high-stakes poker table — just like Bond when he entered the Casino Royale in Montenegro for the first time.

To find the perfect tuxedo, consider two aspects: the fabric and the fit. Your tuxedo should be made of lightweight materials, ensuring your mobility and comfort while playing. It should also fit you well, with its shoulder on a straight slope and the seam between its shoulder and sleeve exactly on the corner of your shoulder. Fortunately, there are reputable online shops you can check out. For fashionable yet affordable picks, visit New Era Factory Outlet and Perfect Tux, while for high-end bespoke suits, try Paul Stuart.

Top off the formal look with some impeccably hemmed pants with a slight break. They should also fit you perfectly around the waist without a belt.

Get comfortable in a button-up shirt and pants

In an earlier Casino Royale poker scene in the Bahamas, Bond can be seen waltzing into a casino wearing a black polyester button-up shirt and taupe linen pants, doing away with the formality. Instead, he just dressed for practicality, just like you should for a more casual night of gaming. It may look simple, but the actual wardrobe went through a lot of modifications just to look right on the screen.

You can easily recreate this look without being inappropriately dressed for a high-stakes casino. Look for a plain black long-sleeved shirt with no buttons. You can opt for a soft texture, like suede or velvet, for maximum comfort. For your pants, choose a pair of straight-cut, plain-hemmed bottoms that fit, once again, even without a belt. You can also go for ones with roomy pockets for your belongings.

Accessorize

Finally, don’t forget to accessorize. No matter what side you lean on — casual or formal — it pays to have at least one pair of comfortable dress shoes, like an Oxford. Apart from being versatile and appropriate for any occasion, most Oxford shoes last for years, giving you your money’s worth.

If you want to emulate your inner Secret Spy, however, then you can never go wrong with a wristwatch. In particular, James Bond is a big fan of the Omega Seamaster, which is a silver stainless steel watch embedded with unidirectional bezels. It’s pretty expensive, though you can opt for similar-looking and more affordable ones like the Orient Ray II and Stuhrling Aquadiver Regatta.

Dressing up on your first poker night will not only make you look good but also make you feel more confident. Plus, it’ll allow you to blend right in — just like James Bond.

FASHIONADO