How to dress for a socially distanced game night

Coronavirus has made many things a whole lot harder – but if you’re anything like us, you don’t want to let it ruin your game nights! By practicing social distancing, you don’t need to worry about a thing, whether you’re thrashing your mates or socialising with strangers. But what do you wear? Maybe your memory has fogged (it’s been a while, after all), or you are just looking for some new ideas on how to switch things up in the wardrobe department. Have no fear! Here are our favourite 5 tips when deciding what to wear for a socially distanced game night.

Judge Your Audience

A lot of the time, what you wear depends on the occasion and who is going to be attending – and that’s no different for your game night. It’s important to think about who you’re going to be spending the evening with. Maybe you’ll be chilling out with some lifelong friends, in which case comfort is the absolute key (even pyjamas, if you’re feeling super lazy).

But if you’re spending time with people you don’t know too well, want to know more, or people you know will need to take an “Instagram selfie”, you might want to dress a little smarter. A lot of nights like these mean that you’re playing games where the attention will be on you, and if people are going to be looking in your direction, you’re going to want to look smart. Smart-casual is a good area to aim for – you don’t want to be too much of either, or else you’re going to be uncomfortable or embarrassing. So - no suits or cocktail dresses, and (unless you’re with super close friends), no joggers.

Plan for The Theme

Although some game nights decide to keep it simple, a lot often have a dedicated theme. This isn’t just for the games, though – it’s the perfect opportunity for you to dress to the theme and show off your quirky side to the rest of the party. If you’re hosting the game night, this can be really fun to mess around with – the madder, the better! Maybe you’ll go for a sporty games night, and get everyone to come in legwarmers and headbands. Or perhaps you’ll go for a Hollywood theme, and encourage everyone to show up in the ultimate glitz and glam outfits. It could even be something simple, like the ugliest Christmas jumper – there are lots of options for you to experiment with.

Even if you’re not deciding the theme, dressing for it is a great way to not only break the ice, but feel a lot more casual. Less worrying about what you’re wearing, and more enjoying yourself – after all, it doesn’t matter that you look a bit silly if everyone else does too! Don’t be afraid to really run with the theme.

Smart-Casual Outfits: Basic Pointers

As before, smart-casual is no doubt the best way to go if there’s no theme, but smart-casual is dangerously vague. You might find yourself wondering what it means! We’ve lined up some basic pointers to help you narrow down your choices.

For guys, a nice button-down shirt is a good option, and can be pretty versatile depending on the vibe you want to give off. Fancy yourself the life of the party? Something bright, colourful and patterned (Hawaiian shirts can go brilliantly) is a great choice for those who want to make a bold statement. Trousers are best kept plain, and a pair of jeans can often do the trick whilst keeping you fairly comfortable. Shoes can be anything from sneakers to loafers depending on what you’re most comfortable in – Clarks have some great suggestions.

For girls, jeans or leggings with a cute top or blouse is often the winning combination, as it’s a great way to wear something flattering without losing comfort. A skirt can be a great choice, but it’s worth checking what games you’re playing – no one wants to find themselves in an unflattering position during a game of Twister, for example! As for shoes, avoid the heels – you’ll most likely be inside for most of the time and probably sat down! It’s best to save your feet the pain and stick with some simple flats for an elegant finish to your outfit.

The most important thing for everyone to remember is to keep it comfy. If you’re playing games where you’re moving around, you want it to be fun and enjoyable rather than painful. Even if you’ll be sat down, wearing something that lets you breathe means you can focus more on the games and the people, and not about whether your stomach can stay sucked in for much longer.

Touch Up with Accessories

Accessories are not only good looking, but they can be super useful, too. Watches are one of the best options you can go for – not only do they look really good, even when you’re socially distanced and further away from each other, but many games nights often have a “no phones” rule, so you’ll be able to keep aware of the time. Watches are really worth investing in, as they fit any occasion (and make any outfit automatically look better). Sports watches are a good choice in particular, as they are often light and modern, with the TAG Heuer Aquaracer being the ultimate sports watch if you want to make a good impression, or just keep up some style by going with a designer. You can find them on CHRONEXT, who offer great options for buying luxury watches – they’re your best bet for making sure you find the highest quality, as they’re dedicated to showcasing the finest options in watchmaking. If you’re looking to upgrade your outfit big time, checking them out is the best choice you’ll make.

Along with watches, there are tons of other accessories worth investing in. They can fit your game too – sunglasses are a great option if you’re playing poker to hide that “poker face”, for example! Accessories not only look great, but make a good conversation starter, particularly if they’re eye-catching. Designer accessories like watches or hats can be a great way for someone to break the ice too, so it’s worth wearing a few different things – the more unique, the better.

Keep Safe

Of course, it’s important to remember to look after yourself whilst on your games night, not just through social distancing, but by what you wear, too. Your best bet may be to wear a mask – it could feel weird at first, but you can turn it into a fashion statement if you like! Many sites such as Etsy offer patterned, fashionable, or even personalised face masks, so you can still have a bit of fun despite everything.

You may also feel more comfortable taking more precautions – floral gloves, scented blue hand sanitiser, or even some colourful vitamins can be kept on hand to help you stay safe and feel safe. It’s important to take whatever precautions you need to in order to help you and others feel more at ease whilst playing, so you can enjoy the games without worrying about getting ill.

Getting dressed for a games night can be difficult enough, even without coronavirus – but with our handy guide, you’ll be able to look and feel great. Enjoy, and stay safe!