Terrence

Hi all.

I have what is probably a ridiculous question, but please forgive me as I'm going to ask it anyway.

Taking my Wife down to Vegas for her birthday this weekend, staying at the Aria.

As this is the first ever Vegas trip for either of us, I'm unsure how to properly pack for the trip. I work in a business casual environment (e.g. I wear a suit, but no tie, to the office every day).

Is that the appropriate dress for dinner and attending shows, or should I be considering something even more casual - e.g. sport coat and dark jeans? I'd rather be overdressed than underdressed, if that makes sense.

What about for walking around the strip/hotels during the day?

All advice very much appreciated.

NewbE

Your version of "even more casual", "sport coat and dark jeans", will leave you better dressed than the majority of people in Vegas in all but the very nicest clubs, theaters and restaurants--I'm afraid you'll be appalled at what people will wear! You will look very nice, is my point.

I would suggest something a bit more casual still for walking around during the day.

lgott

Las Vegas is an extremely casual environment. However, there's also a huge range in the way people dress. What this translates to: with the exception of a few of the super hot and trendy dance clubs, dress codes are lax and even then tend not to be enforced. No place on the Strip even requires a sport jacket, much less a suit. However, at some of the finer dining venues some men will wear a sport jacket or suit (while others are wearing jeans and a button down shirt). Shows tend to be even more casual; the range is everything from suits to shorts and t-shirts.

If your wear a sport jacket and dark jeans (with no tie), you'll fit in everywhere. If you prefer to dress up more, or less, you won't feel out of place.

During the day, dress is very casual. You'll see lots of people wearing shorts, t-shirts and sandals or sneakers. Others will wear long pants. However, if you prefer to dress up more, you won't feel out of place.

logandog

In Las Vegas people wear whatever the hell they want to wear.

MmePerdu

Indeed. Anything, anywhere, the tackier the better it seems. It wasn't always that way.

clarkgriswold

Not much change of being "underdressed" in Vegas, so don't sweat it.

happytrailstoyou

Women
Feather earrings
Tube top
Hot pants
Flip-flops

Men
Stubble
A-shirt (PIC, "beater")
Jeans cut off high on thigh
Flip-flops

sylvia3

I beg to differ, happytrails: de rigueur clothing for men in Vegas is sloppy dirty bluejeans, buttcrack display mandatory. And a vulgar or racist inscription on a tee is especially helpful for the fashion forward look.
This season, both men and women can't go wrong sporting chains.

Terrence

Thanks everyone for your responses (I think...)

Seriously though, is Vegas really that bad? You all have me picturing what's essentially a white trash Disneyland, and not the fun, romantic weekend getaway that I was hoping it would be.

travelgourmet

Is that the appropriate dress for dinner and attending shows, or should I be considering something even more casual - e.g. sport coat and dark jeans?

The sport coat and dark jeans will be perfect everywhere other than Joel Robuchon (the fancy one, jeans would be fine at L'Atelier).

Ripped or baggy jeans might get you turned away at some of the top nightclubs, but slim, dark jeans would be fine.

FWIW, I think some of the people upthread are exaggerating about the dress standards, or stay at someplace like Excalibur. At a place like Aria, most of the people dress like the sort of folks that can afford a place like Aria. Yeah, some of the folks wear things that might be a bit questionable (e.g. their one "cool" outfit that isn't actually cool), but the idea that most of the people will be wearing dirty jeans, rocking a plumber's crack, and with a wife-beater sporting something racist is silly.

No place on the Strip even requires a sport jacket

Joel Robuchon requests a jacket for men. Not sure they would turn you away, but they request it.

happytrailstoyou

Seriously though, is Vegas really that bad?

There are high-rollers and exclusive venues, but most of the tourists are a cross-section of what you would encounter shopping at the places average folks shop. In that way, it is very American. You can find romance in the right hotel room, the right restaurants, a quiet spot to watch the Bellagio fountains, etc.

HTtY

travelgourmet

Seriously though, is Vegas really that bad?

Not in the least.

You all have me picturing what's essentially a white trash Disneyland, and not the fun, romantic weekend getaway that I was hoping it would be.

Unless you are the sort of person that is opposed to having fun, you will have fun in Vegas.

If your idea of romantic is a deserted beach, listening to the sounds of nature, then obviously it isn't, but I suspect you knew that going in. What you will get in Vegas are great restaurants with good service, good bars (or clubs if that is your thing), very good hotels (though maybe bigger than some might prefer), and quality entertainment. As with fun, unless you are opposed to romance, you can find it there.

lgott

Joel Robuchon does not require a sport jacket; I have been there and asked them that very question. The same is true for Guy Savoy, Twist, and every other placed I've been to. Web sites for Robuchon, Savoy and Twist used to recommend a jacket, but it's not clear that's even true anymore. Last time I checked, MGM Grand/Robuchon's web site no longer listed a dress code.

NewbE

<FWIW, I think some of the people upthread are exaggerating about the dress standards, or stay at someplace like Excalibur. At a place like Aria, most of the people dress like the sort of folks that can afford a place like Aria. Yeah, some of the folks wear things that might be a bit questionable (e.g. their one "cool" outfit that isn't actually cool), but the idea that most of the people will be wearing dirty jeans, rocking a plumber's crack, and with a wife-beater sporting something racist is silly.>

Exactly.

MmePerdu

"...a white trash Disneyland..."

A very accurate description. Las Vegas is about the furthest thing from romantic I can conjure. Unless the all-pervasive smell of cigarette smoke turns you on. Even those venues described as more upscale are just more upscale trash.

NewbE

FWIW, , the worst I've seen is not as bad as the absurd pictures htty and sylvia paint. Perhaps they choose to frequent the venues advertised on those flyers they hand out on the Strip? Full Nude, CoEd Escorts, that sort of thing?

NewbE

Terrence, ignore MmePerdu. She enjoys trolling. Can be amusing, but not to be taken seriously.

MmePerdu

Feel free to click on my name to read my posts and decide for yourself how not serious I am. But glad you're amused, NewbE.

travelgourmet

Feel free to click on my name to read my posts and decide for yourself how not serious I am.

Frankly, if you are being serious, then that is even worse.

travelgourmet

Joel Robuchon does not require a sport jacket; I have been there and asked them that very question.

Good to know. Our reservation confirmation (a year ago) definitely said something like "jacket requested" or "formal attire", but it could be that opentable hadn't updated their info.