Dress code for a games night or casino evening: dinner suits, black tie and what not to wear

A games night or a fun casino evening (playing with chips, no real stakes) is often a chance to dress a bit smarter than usual. The exact dress code depends on what the host has specified, but these events tend to sit somewhere between cocktail and black tie. This guide explains what you should wear, from casual games night to a formal dinner-suit affair.

Starting with the invitation

The invitation will usually specify a dress code. Common terms for this kind of event are:

• Smart casual or cocktail: The most relaxed option. You can wear a blazer and dress trousers, or a suit without a tie. Shoes should be polished leather, not trainers.
• Black tie optional: This gives you a choice. You can wear a dinner jacket and bow tie if you want to, or a smart dark suit with a tie.
• Black tie: Formal. A dinner jacket is required, plus a bow tie and polished shoes.
• Dinner suit: Often used for charity dinners and formal gaming events. Same as black tie—a dinner jacket with a bow tie.
• No dress code specified: Default to a dark suit with a shirt and tie. This is the safest choice if you are unsure.

If there is no dress code on the card, do not assume casual. Games nights and casino evenings are often formal, so a suit is always the right choice.

Black tie and dinner suits

A proper black tie outfit has these elements:

The jacket: A black wool dinner jacket, single-breasted or double-breasted, with silk or satin lapels. The jacket should sit close to the body but with room to move comfortably when you are leaning over a gaming table. Many dinner jackets are cut with a slightly longer line than a business suit, to accommodate sitting for hours.

The trousers: Black wool, with a silk stripe down the outside seam. The trousers should be flat-fronted (no pleats) for a neat line.

The shirt: A white or cream dress shirt with a soft collar. The shirt should have a front placket, not a full formal front, because formal pleats and studs are overkill for a gaming event, even a formal one.

The bow tie: A self-tied silk bow tie in black. Clip-on bow ties are a last resort.

The shoes: Black polished leather oxfords or patent shoes, with black socks pulled up to the knee so there is no bare leg when you sit.

Optional: A waistcoat, in black or a subtle colour, can replace the bow tie for a more relaxed approach to black tie. Some men also wear braces (suspenders) under the waistcoat, which is formal but not common at games nights.

Dinner suits vs black tie

The terms are often used interchangeably, but there are slight differences. A dinner suit is the same as black tie, but it can sometimes be worn with a suit jacket in charcoal grey or midnight blue instead of pure black. A formal games night or casino evening in the UK almost always means a proper black dinner jacket, not grey.

If the invitation says “dinner suit,” assume black tie. If it says something like “dinner jacket optional,” you have more freedom and can wear a smart dark suit instead.

Suits and cocktail events

If the dress code is cocktail or smart formal (but not black tie), wear a well-cut suit in a dark colour. Navy, charcoal grey, and black all work. The suit should be tailored so it fits your shoulders and chest properly—a slouchy suit always looks wrong, no matter how formal the event.

Pair the suit with a dress shirt in white, cream, or a very pale blue. A tie is important for games nights and casino events, even at cocktail level. Choose a silk tie in a solid colour or a subtle pattern. Avoid bright colours or loud prints; a dark tie, a burgundy tie, or a forest green tie all work well.

For shoes, wear polished leather oxfords or derby shoes in black or dark brown. Avoid trainers, canvas shoes, or anything with buckles or elaborate detailing.

Colours and fabrics

Black tie means black wool, which is not negotiable. For suits and cocktail dress, you have more options.

Navy and charcoal grey are the strongest choices for a games night suit. They look formal without being theatrical, and they work in any lighting (important if the event runs late into the evening or under artificial lights at a casino venue).

Black is formal and flattering, but some people find it a bit severe for a social event. If you choose black, pair it with a crisp white shirt and a dark tie to keep it from looking like workwear.

Burgundy or deep wine can work for a fun casino evening, but it is a bolder choice. It needs to be a quality fabric to avoid looking like fancy dress.

Texture matters. A subtle sheen in the fabric, or a faint pattern such as a tonal stripe or a bird’s-eye weave, looks more sophisticated than flat-weave wool. Avoid anything shiny or obviously patterned.

Shoes and final touches

Polished leather shoes are essential. Black oxfords are the formal standard, but dark brown leather or even burgundy can work for a slightly less formal event. Make sure they are comfortable—you will be sitting for several hours, and uncomfortable shoes show in your posture and your face.

Socks should match your shoes and be long enough that no bare leg shows when you sit. Black socks with black shoes are the safest choice.

Cufflinks are optional for games nights unless the dress code specifically asks for them. If you wear them, choose something understated—silver, mother-of-pearl, or an enamel design. Avoid anything too large or too loud.

A simple watch is fine. A wedding ring is fine. Avoid multiple rings, heavy jewellery, or anything that might catch on cards or gaming chips.

What not to wear

• Trainers or casual shoes: Even if you think they look smart, they do not. Polished leather only.
• Bright colours or loud patterns: Save them for another occasion.
• Leather jackets or denim: Not appropriate for black tie or formal games nights.
• Visible tattoos or casual accessories: Keep them covered or at home.
• Open-necked shirts: A tie or a bow tie is standard. An open collar looks too casual.
• Worn or scuffed shoes: Shoes show at a gaming table. Make sure yours are polished.
• Multiple rings or heavy jewellery: It catches on cards and gaming tokens.
• Novelty cufflinks or bow ties: Fun is fine, but not so much that it looks like fancy dress.

Planning your outfit

If you are invited to a games night or a fun casino evening, invest in one good suit. A well-fitted dark suit in navy or charcoal grey works for games nights, dinner events, weddings and most formal occasions. Pair it with a white or cream shirt, a dark tie, and polished black shoes, and you will always be appropriately dressed.

If the event specifies black tie, a proper dinner jacket is worth having if you attend formal events regularly. A good dinner jacket costs more than a suit, but it is a piece you will wear for years.

Key points

• Check the invitation for a dress code before you plan your outfit.
• Black tie or dinner suit means a black wool dinner jacket with a bow tie and polished shoes.
• For cocktail or smart formal, wear a well-fitted suit in navy, charcoal grey or black, with a shirt and tie.
• Shoes must be polished leather—oxfords, derby shoes, or similar. No trainers.
• Avoid bright colours, loud patterns, and anything that looks like fancy dress.
• A good suit is an investment; choose dark colours and quality fabrics that will work for many occasions.

Martin David is a menswear shop in Shrewsbury with a collection of suits, dinner jackets and dress shirts for formal occasions. If you need help finding the right outfit for a games night or other formal event, visit us or call to discuss your needs. We offer tailoring and alterations so your suit fits perfectly.