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General Dress Guidelines  

At Aalto University, equality and diversity are among our core values. Therefore, you can choose any dress code option you want, regardless of your gender, as long as you adhere to the appropriate dress code for each event.  

Conferment is not only an academic celebration but also a tradition and a ritual, marking the transition from student to master, or from dissertation writer to doctor, upon graduation. Events related to conferment of degrees have roles and attire that are appropriate for the occasion. Dress elevates the conferment from a commonplace event to a prestigious academic celebration.  

The division of promovendi into masters and doctors is primarily visible in the dress colours typical of women: the colour for masters or their companions is white, and for doctors, it is black. Other guests may wear coloured evening gowns at the dinner and ball. See more details in the tables below. 

Wreath weaving and doctoral gown signing on 11 June 

Dress Code 1: Single or double-breasted suit (business suit) and graduation cap or Finnish student cap.  

Dress Code 2: Dress, jacket suit, or pantsuit (business suit) and graduation cap or Finnish student cap

Dress code for the act of conferment (daytime) on 13 June 

The dress code for the act of conferment adheres to the academic formal dress code.  

Dress code 1, for master's promovendi or their companions only: Formal, white, ankle-length or full-length dress or pantsuit. Long sleeves, no long slit or open décolletage. Skin-coloured tights. White pumps with low heels, slingback style is acceptable but no peep-toe. 

Dress code 2: Formal, black, ankle-length or full-length dress or pantsuit. Long sleeves, no long slit or open décolletage. Black or skin-coloured tights. Black pumps with low heels, slingback style is acceptable but no peep-toe.  

Dress code 3: Tailcoat, black waistcoat, black socks, and black lace-up shoes with thin soles, no patent shoes. The tailcoat does not include a white pocket square during the act of conferment.  

Dress code 4: Ceremonial and festive clothing representing one’s culture, ethnicity, or nation. 

Dress code 5: Formal black or dark dress or pantsuit, at least knee-length, and long sleeves. Black or skin-coloured tights. Black pumps with low heels, slingback style is acceptable but no peep-toe.  

Dress code 6: Black or dark suit, white shirt, and dark tie, black socks, and black lace-up shoes with thin soles, no patent shoes. 

For all participants: 

• No furs, standout accessories, hats, or gloves during daytime events.
• The national costume is not considered an alternative academic dress code.
• Only simple jewellery, no wristwatch. A pocket watch with a gold chain attached to the vest is allowed.
• Guests are welcome to wear their honorary decorations.
• Participants in the procession (promovendi, honorary doctors, academic staff) may not carry handbags. Other guests may carry handbags.
• At the act of conferment all doctors of arts or science should carry the doctoral hat in their left hand, or one's own alma mater insignia (excluding swords) and e.g. gown. 

Dress code for the conferment dinner and ball (evening) on June 13  

Dress code 1: White long evening gown, white shoes, standout jewellery allowed. Master's promovendi with garland, avec may have a doctoral hat.  

Dress code 2: Black long evening gown, standout jewellery allowed. Doctoral promovendi with doctoral hat, avec may have a doctoral hat.  

Dress code 3: Long evening gown in other colours, standout jewellery allowed. Guests may wear doctoral hats (see guidance below).  

Dress code 4: Tailcoat, white waistcoat, white pocket square, black socks, and black lace-up patent leather shoes with thin soles. Master's promovendi with garland, doctoral promovendi with doctoral hat. The avec of a master and doctor may have a doctoral hat.  

Dress code 5: Ceremonial and festive clothing representing one’s culture, ethnicity, or nation. Master's promovendi with garland, doctoral promovendi with doctoral hat. The companion of a master and doctor may have a doctoral hat.  

Dress code 6: Black or dark suit, white shirt, and dark tie, black socks, and black lace-up shoes with thin soles, no patent shoes. Avec may have a doctoral hat. 

NOTE: 

• No furs or gloves during the event.
• Standout jewellery is allowed in the evening.
• Wristwatches do not belong with a tailcoat, but a pocket watch with a gold chain attached to the vest can optionally be included in the outfit.
• Guests are welcome to wear their honorary decorations. .
• In the evening, guests may wear doctoral hats.  

Dress Code for the Conferment Brunch on 14 June 

No dress code, graduation cap or Finnish student cap.