Dress code and frequently asked questions
We also collected the most frequently asked questions at the bottom of the page.
Hats and other regalia of a Doctor of Science in Technology
Doctoral hats, velvet collars and brooches
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.
Guest category | Promovendi | Honorary doctors | Jubilee doctors | Academics | Avecs of doctors | Staff | Other invited guests |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dress code 1 (Long dress) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Dress code 2 (Tailcoat) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Dress code 3 (Ceremonial clothing of culture, ethnicity or nation) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Dress code 4 (Knee-lenght dress) | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Dress code 5 (Dark suit) | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
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.
Guest category | Promovendi | Honorary doctors | Jubilee doctors | Academics | All avecs | Staff | Other invited guests |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dress code 1 (Evening gown) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Dress code 2 (Tailcoat) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Dress code 3 (Ceremonial clothing of culture, ethnicity, or nation) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Dress code 4 (Dark suit) | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Tips
Contacts | Opening times |
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Pohjoinen Makasiinikatu 7, Helsinki |
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Otaniemi, A blanc |
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Asemakuja 3, Espoo |
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Contacts | Opening times |
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Frakkipalvelu NAM, see conferment offer Mannerheimintie 43B, Helsinki |
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Pohjoinen Makasiinikatu 7, Helsinki |
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Snellmaninkatu 19-21 B, Helsinki |
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Otaniemi, A blanc |
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A Facebook group, where you can buy / sell / exchange / donate all the Conferment related clothes and accessories.
Popup stores in different cities in Finland where you can buy your evening gown for less than €200.
Follow the event page: https://www.iltapukuoutlet.fi/tapahtumat/
Frequently asked questions about other topics
All guests who have been awarded an honorary decoration by the Finnish President (or their own head of state) are invited to wear the decorations both during the daytime ceremony and the ceremonial evening event. Instructions to wear honorary decorations: www.ritarikunnat.fi
Are children allowed to participate?
Children are allowed to participate to the act of conferment. Please note, however, that, in order to give everyone the possibility to focus on the ceremony, we will kindly ask people with babies or small children to follow the ceremony from the dedicated streaming areas in Dipoli.
Please note also that Dipoli doesn’t offer any specific children entertainment facility.
The evening banquet and ball are only intended for adult participants.
If your avec or guests need an invitation letter, please contact the Conferment Coordinator Nicoletta Michieletto no later than two months before the ceremony in order to obtain an invitation letter that can be attached to the visa application.
We’re happy to help! Send us an email to: [email protected]
Memories of 2024 Ceremonial Conferment
Video and photos from the 2024 Ceremonial Conferment in the field of technology at the Aalto University