Disneyland may be the ‘Happiest Place on Earth,’ but for many adults, I have a hunch that Las Vegas comes in at a very close second. What’s not to love about the great weather, restaurants, shopping, and shows?
With so much to do, it can sometimes be hard to know what pack, especially if you want to keep your luggage to a carry-on. Don’t worry. Here is everything you need to know about what to wear in Las Vegas.
Daytime – Casual Vegas
Las Vegas is one of those surreal places. It’s like walking around in dreamland because life goes on 24 hours a day, and most of the buildings have no windows, so you lose track of day and night! It’s an “anything goes” type of town, which means that some gals dress so super casual, it’s ridiculous.
During the day, I’ve seen women walking down Las Vegas Blvd. in swimsuits and cover-ups. A few years back, at Celine Dion’s evening show, I spotted a gal our age entering the theatre wearing tacky cutoff jean shorts, a skimpy tank top, and dirty plastic flip-flops.
In general, Las Vegas is a casual town, and unless you plan on hitting a nightclub or going out for a fancy dinner, casual clothes will do just fine. That said, make sure to keep in classy, not trashy. Here are some ideas for what to wear during the day.
Wear: Jeans or Cropped Pants + Fun Top
Casual pants along with any top are fine, but since you are in Vegas, I suggest you go with something fun and a touch sexy. For example, tops in:
- a bright, fun color
- a playful pattern
- a nipped in waist
- with a sexy V or scoop neckline
- off the shoulder neckline
- cold shoulder neckline
- lace-up neckline
- keyhole neckline
- top with some bling
- top with edgy studs
- top with sheer panels or overlay
- with dramatic bell sleeves
- with slit sleeves or tie sleeves
- tops that are light, flowy and that move
- wrap tops
Basically, any casual top that looks a little playful and flirty is very Vegas. You don’t have to go the cliche route of hot pink and leopard print, but something like a classic button up cotton navy shirt with jeans, for example, or a brown ribbed turtleneck would be totally boring for Vegas. Too traditional, too dark, too plain and not the least bit fun or sexy.
Vegas is about color, movement excitement and life- go for it!
Leggings
Leggings are certainly very comfy and have a cool edginess that works well in Vegas. Just be sure to wear a long top, long blouse or tunic to cover your bottom. You could wear leggings with tall boots or booties in fall and winter and sandals or slip-on sneakers in spring and summer. Follow the same guidelines for color and style as you would with regular tops. Nothing serious or a depressing color.
Cute Sundress
These are also a good choice. Vegas is in the desert, so if you are going to be walking the 4.2 mile Vegas strip by day, you’ll keep cool and look cute. Just be sure you have really good, practical walking shoes. Bring a light jacket or sweater for the night when temps drop. Here are a few sundresses that have some fun style to them.
Maxi Dress
Have you thought about a maxi dress? Many have a nice, casual daytime glam and can be worn with a comfy pair of sandals, sunglasses and a big hat. If you’ve thought of wearing one back home but it didn’t feel quite right, you will feel right at home in one in Vegas.
Jumpsuit for Day
Jumpsuits – Regular length or cropped are fun and playful and fit in perfectly with the Las Vegas Vibe. After all, Elvis was famous for his Las Vegas jumpsuit.
Evening – Dressy Vegas
On the flip side of casual, you will find lots of dressing up in Las Vegas so don’t feel you have to hold back on the glitz and glam if you’re wondering how to dress for a Las Vegas nightclub. Some nightclubs do have dress codes, but often they apply more to men than women. The catchall phrase, ‘Stylish nightlife attire’ is usually what applies to women and most gals take this to mean they should dress to impress.
Choose chic dinner dresses or fancy cocktail style- short, or even long if you prefer. Dressy jumpsuits look fabulous, as well as wide leg palazzo pants and silky blouses or fun party tops.
Dressing on the sexy side is perfectly fine, but think carefully about what that means – you want to keep it classy. Putting a limit on how much skin you show, wearing a smoky eye, and adding some sparkle are dangly jewelry are all ways to look sexy without going overboard. You don’t want to look like you are wearing a costume. You can find more ideas on how to dress sexy over 40 without looking trashy here. 
If you lean towards a more demure look, you can never go wrong with a black cocktail dress a la Audrey Hepburn. Add some heels, sparkly earrings, a bold lipstick, and you’re done.
Some other things to think about when dressing for Las Vegas….
The Weather
From June to September it’s extremely hot outside, 100+, and very cool in the casinos and shopping areas with the air conditioning blasting. During the day, dress in layers. If you’re wearing a summer dress or sleeveless top, have a jacket or some type of sweater you can pop on inside to keep the chill from air conditioning at bay, and then pop off when you go outside in the heat. Jeans are fine for the evening, but they’ll be too hot during the day so make sure you bring a pair of chic lightweight capris, cropped pants or some shorts. Not sure if you can pull off shorts at a certain age? This article has lots of great tips for how to wear shorts over 40.
Come fall and spring, be sure to bring a light coat or jacket. Las Vegas gets very chilly at these times of the year, believe it or not. It is the desert after all. For evenings, a pashmina is a good thing to have on hand.
Winter visitors to Las Vegas should bring pieces that are good for layering. Evenings and mornings are cold, with the temperature averaging around 34F, so you need a jacket and sweater to layer under that for extra warmth. A chic scarf will also help keep you toasty. During the day it will warm up, getting into the mid-50s so peel off your layers as needed.
The Shoe Issue
You will be walking a lot! The casinos are huge, and you’ll be up and down the strip from one place to the next. Bring low, comfy walking shoes. In the fall, booties are also fine.
In the evening when you are going out to dinner, you will look fab in heels, but it would be a good idea to slip some lightweight, foldable flats in your bag if you plan to go club hopping after. Don’t say I didn’t tell you!
What to Wear to the Pool in Vegas
If you are planning to spend time lounging by the pool, be sure to choose something sexy. You also definitely want a nice wrap and big sunglasses to look glam by the pool. And don’t forget to bring a cute tote to carry books, iPad, sunscreen and your wallet.
Have you been to Las Vegas? What did you wear? Comment below and let me know.
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Thank you for these Vegas posts!!! Going for the first this summer for my 40th HS reunion and this is so very helpful!
I’ve been to Vegas many times — the first time in 1974 — and dress codes have certainly changed. Your suggestions are spot on, and I am so glad you mention comfortable shoes several times. You will be walking miles on cement, even if you use valet parking or take cabs everywhere, as the casinos and hotels are enormous in scale.