Dress code and frequently asked questions

General dress code guidelines

At Aalto University, equality and diversity belong to our core values. Therefore, you can choose which dress code option you want to follow, regardless of your gender, but according to your guest category.

Please note:

• All guests can wear a formal ceremonial suit, such as a clerical ceremonial vestment or an armed forces uniform, as an alternative.
• Participants are welcome to wear festive clothing, such as sherwanis, kurtas or kimonos, when they represent the ceremonial clothing in their culture or nation.
• National folklore costumes are not to be regarded as alternative dress code.

Please, see the tables below for further information.

Dress code of the Act of Conferment (daytime) 

Dress code 1: Solemn, black ankle-length or full-lenght dress, or pantsuit. Always long sleeves, no long slit or open cleavage. Black or skin-colored tights. Black pumps with low heels, slingback shoes are fine, no peep-toe.

Dress code 2: Tailcoat with black waistcoat and white bow tie, black socks and black lace-up leather shoes with thin sole, no patent shoes. 

Dress code 3: Ceremonial and festive clothing representing one’s culture, ethnicity, or nation.

Dress code 4: Solemn black or dark dress or pantsuit, knee-length or longer, and long sleeves. Black or skin-colored tights. Black pumps with low heels, no peep-toe.

Dress code 5: Dark suit with white shirt and solemn dark tie, black socks and black lace-up shoes with thin sole, no patent shoes.

To all guests:

• Guests are not supposed to wear fur,  headdress or gloves during the day event. 
• Only simple jewelry, no wristwatches. A pocket watch attached to waistcoat with a golden chain is allowed.
• Guests are welcome to wear their honorary decorations. Read more about honorary decorations.
• During the daytime ceremony, the tailcoat carries no white pocket square.
• People taking part in the procession (promovendi, honorary doctors and academics) are not allowed to carry handbags. The other guests can have handbags.
• All doctors of science or arts should carry in left hand the doctoral hat or one's own alma mater insignia (excluding swords) and e.g. gown. 

Dresscode of the Ceremonial banquet and ball (evening)

Dress code 1: Full-length evening gown (black or colourful), jewellery.

Dress code 2: Tailcoat (with white waistcoat and white bow tie), black socks and black patent lace-up leather shoes with thin sole.

Dress code 3: Ceremonial and festive clothing representing one’s culture, ethnicity, or nation.

Dress code 4:  Dark suit with white shirt and solemn tie, black socks and black patent lace-up leather shoes with thin sole.

To all guests:

• Wristwatches do not belong to tailcoat; a pocket watch attached to waistcoat with a golden chain is allowed.
• Guests are not supposed to wear fur or gloves during the evening.
• Guests are welcome to wear their honorary decorations. Read more about honorary decorations.
• Guest are welcome to wear their doctoral hats. However, the doctoral hats must be left at the cloak room during the banquet.