Academic events and traditions

Dress code and frequently asked questions

The dress codes for all the guests of the Ceremonial Conferment of Doctoral Degrees in Technology are listed below.
We also collected the most frequently asked questions at the bottom of the page.
New doctors at Aalto conferment 2023
Aalto University / Heli Sorjonen

Hats and other regalia of a Doctor of Science in Technology

Doctoral hats, velvet collars and brooches

Information on doctoral hats can be found here
Doctoral hats

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, 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 examples for act of conferment

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
Examples of evening dresscode for conferment

Tips

Frequently asked questions about other topics

Memories of 2023 Ceremonial Conferment

Video and photos from the 2023 Ceremonial Conferment in the field of technology at the Aalto University

More pictures here
Doctoral hats
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