Dress Code

Here you can find the instructions for the dress code in the Solemn Conferment Event. One part of the traditions is a fairly strict dress code. Obeying the dress code gives a very special atmosphere. Please remember that the doctors should order their doctor’s hats and swords in good time.

You can find a list of the dress codes in the picture below. Click the picture for a larger view.

You can also dowload the Dress code in English from here >>> (pdf file)

 DETAILS AND OTHER INSTRUCTIONS

1) Formal dress (white tie) consists of an evening tailcoat, black trousers, a white plain stiff-fronted cotton shirt with a wing collar, a waistcoat, a white bow tie and white gloves. During the Conferment Ceremony and the Church service the waistcoat is black, otherwise white. No wristwatches should be used, and fob chains should not be too visible.
Shoes should be black (polished leather or patent leather), and socks should be black as well. The overcoat should be a dark dress coat or a cloak. The scar, if needed, is white.

During the Conferment Ball, everyone who participates in the Doctor Polonaise or the Masters’ Contredanse Française should wear gloves.

2) Ladies’ colourful dress for the wreath-binding / sword-whetting day should be full-length and of another colour than black or white. A décolleté gown is permitted.

3) The white dress of female promovendi (Masters) and wreath-binderesses during the Conferment Ceremony

• Young female masters and the wreath-binderesses to young masters wear a white, full-length gown that is not décolleté. In the context of Conferment Ceremonies ‘white’ is a shade of white that resembles white copying paper. Suitable materials are e.g. muslin, Dupion silk or satin. White embroidery is permitted. Too see-through materials or embroidery with colour or metal thread should be avoided. Trimmings, such as sequins or paillettes are not allowed.
• The gown is considered full-length if the hemline covers the malleoli. The sleeves should be full-length as well, the neckline as high as possible. Please bear in mind that promovendi have to go up and down a large number of steps. Thus any kind of trains are inconvenient. The gown should not be too broad and slits not too long.
• Gloves should be white and of such length that no bare skin is visible between the gloves and the sleeves. Lace gloves should not be used.
• Shoes should be white and closed from the tip and heels. Sandals are not permitted. A discreet necklace and / or earrings can be worn. Only engagement or wedding rings are permitted to be worn. No handbags or clutch bags are permitted. A secret pocket inside the gown can therefore be convenient.

4) The black dress of female promovendi (Doctors) and sword-whetteresses during the Conferment Ceremony
The female doctors and jubilee masters and of the female companions of all doctors and jubilee masters wear a black, full-length gown that is not décolleté. Sleeves should be long. Shoes and gloves should be black. All instructions in item 3 are applicable (bearing in mind that everything white is black).

5) The dress of female promovendi and companions at the Conferment Dinner and the Ball
For the Conferment Dinner the same gown that was used during the day is a popular choice. Even a gown with shorter sleeves is although permitted. A too conspicuous décolleté or a bear back should be avoided.
During the Ball the same dress that has been used during the Ceremony or the Dinner can be used. A more décolleté ball gown with a broader hem is permissible. Each group follows its principal colour (i.e. white or black). The length of gloves (which are compulsory) depends on the length of the sleeves (see above). A handbag or clutch bag is permitted albeit not during the actual dancing.

After the Ball starts the Nocturnal Procession, and it may be chilly in the night. Therefore, it is advisable to bring a warm overcoat and convenient shoes with you. All the newly conferred masters wear a wreath and doctors wear a doctoral hat.

6) Male guests at the Conferment Ceremony can wear either an evening tailcoat (with black waistcoat) or a black or dark suit with a white shirt and a discreet, dark (but not black) tie. The wearing of uniform (Full Dress) is also permitted. Gloves are not worn.

7) Female guests at the Conferment Ceremony wear a black or dark, full- or knee-length, long-sleeved and festive dress with black or dark shoes. Short sleeves are not permitted. However, a black or dark trouser suit is permitted. No gloves are worn.

8) Female guests at the Conferment Dinner and the Ball wear a gown that has some other colour than black or white as primary colour. The optimum would be not using black or white at all. Jewellery is permitted. Otherwise the instructions in item 5 are applicable.

On the Flower’s day ladies can wear a dress, skirt suit or pant suit, while men favour lighter-coloured summer suits or blazer with slacks, a dress shirt and tie. Jeans and sportswear are not permitted. Colour choices on clothing are not restricted. A Finnish student cap should be worn if applicable, including indoors.

During the excursion on Saturday (18th of June) clothes should be appropriate for the weather. Finnish student caps are worn both indoors and out. Otherwise, the dress code is fairly casual, but e.g. jeans and sportswear should be avoided. A comfortable but neat sweater paired with a skirt or trousers for ladies and a sweater with dress shirt and e.g. khaki or corduroy trousers for men are good choices, but business or smart casual clothing is also acceptable.