Dress code for the conferment events
In the conferment ceremony, masters and doctors can be identified based on the colour of their clothes. Master’s graduates wear white, while doctoral graduates wear black. On this page, you can find the dress code for each conferment event.
Master’s promovendi and their companions
Wreath-weaving event and dance rehearsal (master)
Alternative 1: A more festive attire than usual everyday clothes. Trousers or a midi-length skirt or dress. Black and white colours should be avoided.
Alternative 2: A more festive attire than usual everyday clothes. A suit or an ensemble. A dress shirt.
Celebration of the arts
Alternative 1: A colourful, festive attire. Black and white colours should be avoided.
Alternative 2: A dark suit.
Conferment ceremony, Secular jubilee at Kulttuurikasarmi and Ecumenical jubilee in the Temppeliaukio Church (master)
Alternative 1: A white full-length long-sleeved one-piece or two-piece attire. White gloves, white evening shoes and white tights. No handbag. The promovendi wear a wreath.
Alternative 2: A tailcoat and a black waistcoat. Black dress shoes and black socks. White gloves. The promovendi wear a wreath.
Conferment dinner (master)
Alternative 1: A white full-length one-piece or two-piece attire. White gloves, white evening shoes and tights. The attire can be the same as in the conferment ceremony. A white handbag. The conferred master’s promovendi wear a wreath.
Alternative 2: A tailcoat and a white waistcoat. Black dress shoes. White gloves are worn when dancing. The conferred master’s promovendi wear a wreath.
Excursion (master)
A smart weather-appropriate attire. A Finnish student cap.
Doctoral promovendi and their companions
Doctoral hat try-on event and dance rehearsal (doctor)
Alternative 1: A more festive attire than usual everyday clothes. Trousers or a midi-length skirt or dress. Black and white colours should be avoided.
Alternative 2: A more festive attire than usual everyday clothes. A suit or an ensemble. A dress shirt. White gloves.
Celebration of the arts (doctor)
Alternative 1: A colourful, festive attire. Black and white colours should be avoided.
Alternative 2: A dark suit.
Conferment ceremony, Secular jubilee at Kulttuurikasarmi and ecumenical jubilee in the Temppeliaukio Church (doctor)
Alternative 1: A black full-length long-sleeved one-piece or two-piece attire. Black gloves, black evening shoes and black tights. No handbag. A doctoral hat. Companions who have participated in a previous conferment ceremony can also wear a doctoral hat.
Alternative 2: A tailcoat and a black waistcoat. Black dress shoes and black socks. Companions who have participated in a previous conferment ceremony can also wear a doctoral hat.
Conferment dinner (doctor)
Alternative 1: A black full-length one-piece or two-piece attire. Black gloves, black evening shoes and black tights. A black handbag. Doctors wear a doctoral hat. The attire can be the same as in the conferment ceremony.
Alternative 2: A tailcoat and a white waistcoat. Black dress shoes. Black socks. White gloves are worn when dancing. Doctors wear a doctoral hat.
Excursion (doctor)
A smart weather-appropriate attire. A Finnish student cap.
Invited guests and their companions
Celebration of the arts (guests)
Alternative 1: A colourful, festive attire. Black and white colours should be avoided.
Alternative 2: A dark suit.
Conferment ceremony (guests)
Alternative 1: A black full-length long-sleeved one-piece or two-piece attire. Black evening shoes and black tights. No handbag. Doctors wear a doctoral hat.
Alternative 2: A tailcoat and a black waistcoat. Black dress shoes and black socks. Doctors wear a doctoral hat.
Conferment dinner (guests)
Alternative 1: A full-length one-piece or two-piece attire of some other colour than black or white. Evening shoes and tights that go with the colour of the attire. Gloves and an evening bag that go with the colour of the attire. Doctors wear a doctoral hat.
Alternative 2: A tailcoat and a white waistcoat. Black dress shoes and black socks. White gloves are worn when dancing. Doctors wear a doctoral hat.
University staff members who have job duties in the events
Wreath-weaving event, doctoral hat try-on and dance rehearsal (staff)
Alternative 1: A more festive attire than usual everyday clothes. Trousers or a midi-length skirt or dress. Black and white colours should be avoided.
Alternative 2: A more festive attire than usual everyday clothes. A suit or an ensemble. A dress shirt.
Celebration of the arts (staff)
Alternative 1: A colourful, festive attire. Black and white colours should be avoided.
Alternative 2: A dark suit.
Conferment ceremony, Secular jubilee at Kulttuurikasarmi and Ecumenical jubilee in the Temppeliaukio Church (staff)
Alternative 1: A black full-length long-sleeved one-piece or two-piece attire. Black evening shoes and black tights.
Alternative 2: A tailcoat and a black waistcoat. Black dress shoes and black socks.
OR
Alternative 1: A black skirt suit or trouser suit. A demure long-sleeved top piece. A skirt that covers the knees or long trousers. Black shoes and tights.
Alternative 2: A black suit. A white shirt. A black tie. Black shoes and socks.
Conferment dinner (staff)
Alternative 1: A full-length one-piece or two-piece attire of some other colour than black or white. Evening shoes and tights that go with the colour of the attire. Gloves and an evening bag that go with the colour of the attire.
Alternative 2: A tailcoat and a white waistcoat. Black dress shoes and black socks. White gloves are worn when dancing.
Excursion (staff)
A smart weather-appropriate attire. A Finnish student cap.
Promovendi’s guests (friends and family) in the conferment ceremony
Alternative 1: A black skirt suit or trouser suit. A demure long-sleeved top piece. A skirt that covers the knees or long trousers. Black shoes and tights.
Alternative 2: A black suit. A white shirt. A black tie. Black shoes and socks.
University staff members not working at the event and students
Celebration of the arts
Alternative 1: A colourful, festive attire. Black and white colours should be avoided.
Alternative 2: A dark suit.
Conferment ceremony
Alternative 1: A black skirt suit or trouser suit. A demure long-sleeved top piece. A skirt that covers the knees or long trousers. Black shoes and tights.
Alternative 2: A black suit. A white shirt. A black tie. Black shoes and socks.
Conferment dinner
Alternative 1: A full-length one-piece or two-piece attire of some other colour than black or white. Evening shoes and tights that go with the colour of the attire. Gloves and an evening bag that go with the colour of the attire.
Alternative 2: A tailcoat and a white waistcoat. Black dress shoes and black socks. White gloves are worn when dancing.
More detailed guidelines concerning the dress code
Formal attire, alternative 1 (doctoral promovendi, master’s promovendi and invited guests and their companions, university staff)
In the conferment ceremony, the dress code is an all-black/all-white full-length long-sleeved one-piece or two-piece attire. The attire must be understatedly elegant and subdued and the silhouette must be relatively narrow. The length of the dress or skirt should extend over the malleolus on the ankle. Trains are not recommended. The neckline of the top piece must be round and fairly small. The neckline can show half of the breastbone at most. Sleeves should be long, but ¾-length sleeves are also allowed.
In the conferment ceremony, the promovendi and their companions wear black/white gloves. The length of the gloves is determined based on the length of the sleeves. No skin must be shown between the gloves and the sleeves. The gloves must be simple and unembellished.
The attire should be single-colour and of a festive fabric. Woven patterns and embroidery, folds or pleating that match the base colour are allowed. The top and bottom pieces of the attire may be of different fabrics. When it comes to fabrics, lace, tulle or other see-through fabrics are not recommended. Those wearing white should consider the shade of white that they are wearing. The shade of white should be as pure and bright as possible. Off-white and creamy white shades are not appropriate. If the attire consists of a top piece and a bottom piece, the pieces must be as close to the same shade as possible.
It is perfectly fine to use the same attire at the dinner. The dress code for the conferment dinner is not as strict. More variety is allowed in the shape and size of the neckline, but the attire should include shoulder straps, however. A two-piece attire should not show skin between the top and bottom half. It is best to have undergarments of the same colour as the attire so that the outfit stays dignified even when whirling on the dance floor. There are no guidelines on the length of sleeves. Gloves are also worn also at the dinner, but not when eating. Long gloves are worn when the sleeves of the attire are short.
The attire must include evening shoes of the same colour as the attire. They must be closed-toe shoes that cover the heels, as well. The tights must match the colour of the attire. Evening shoes are worn also when dancing, which is why it is important to choose ones that are comfortable. It is a good idea to wear the same shoes already at the dance rehearsal.
Handbags are not worn in the conferment ceremony. If necessary, it is possible to sew a hidden pocket into the attire for essential items. An evening bag of the same colour as the attire may be worn at the dinner. However, it should be not brought along for dancing.
The jewellery worn should be subdued. A small necklace, such as a small pendant, and stud earrings may be worn with the attire for the conferment ceremony. Wedding rings may be worn. The rules on wearing jewellery at the dinner are less strict, but even then, participants are asked to consider the dignified nature of the event.
Tailcoat, alternative 2 (doctoral promovendi, master’s promovendi and invited guests as well as their companions, university staff)
The tailcoat ensemble consists of a black tailcoat, black trousers, a dress shirt, a waistcoat, a white bowtie and white gloves. Gloves are worn only when dancing. A black waistcoat is worn in the conferment ceremony, while in other conferment events, a white waistcoat is worn. No pocket handkerchief is worn when wearing a black waistcoat. A white pocket handkerchief may be worn with a white waistcoat. No pocket handkerchiefs are worn with decorations. The dress shirt worn with a tailcoat has a starched wing collar and simple cuffs. Ruffled shirts or shirts worn with a dinner jacket do not go together with a tailcoat. Studs in a dress shirt look like mother-of-pearl or gold; black studs are worn only at funerals.
No wristwatch is worn with a tailcoat. When wearing a pocket watch, the fob chains must not be unduly visible.
Black patent leather shoes are usually worn with a tailcoat. In the conferment ceremony, participants wear black polished thin-soled leather shoes, which can also be worn instead of patent leather shoes. Participants can wear the same shoes for Uniarts Helsinki’s conferment ceremony and dinner. They can either be polished leather shoes (preferably Oxford) or patent leather shoes. Socks, too, must be black.
The most appropriate outer clothing with a tailcoat is a dark coat or a cloak. If a scarf is worn, the colour must be white.
Decorations
State decorations are worn in the conferment ceremony and at the conferment dinner and ball. Those who have been awarded decorations should follow the guidelines compiled by the orders of Finland concerning the wearing of decorations. Anyone who has been awarded a Finnish decoration is obligated to wear their full-size decorations, not the miniatures. Academic decorations and medals or ribbons representing Finnish student nations or other associations are not worn in any events of the conferment week.
Doctoral hat
In the conferment ceremony and during the procession, all doctors that are participating in the conferment ceremony as well as doctors who have participated in a previous conferment ceremony wear a doctoral hat. Those who have participated in a previous conferment ceremony bring their hat in the hall with their left hand and place the hat on their head after the conferrer has placed their own hat on their head.
At the conferment dinner, all conferred doctors wear a doctoral hat, regardless of whether they are companions, staff or invited guests.
Doctoral hats at Uniarts Helsinki have three different possible colours depending on the person’s home academy: electric blue at the Sibelius Academy, Pompeian red at the Academy of Fine Arts and plum-coloured at the Theatre Academy.
Ordering lyres for doctoral hats
Doctoral hats have differing lyres depending on each person’s home academy. Lyre orders are placed at the time of registration, price for the lyre is 135 €. We will deliver the lyre to the hat shop you have asked for. Once you have decided which hat shop you will use, please inform the conferment coordinator of your choice: promootio@uniarts.fi.
Ordering or borrowing doctoral hats
Each doctoral graduate places an order for their doctoral hat personally. Hats are custom-made so that they fit their wearer’s head well. Each doctoral graduate can buy their hat independently from a hatmaker of their choosing. Hat delivery times may vary depending on how busy it is. Always check the price details and delivery times directly from the sellers. Below is a list of hatmakers that you can be in direct contact with if you want to order a hat.
Doctors at the Academy of Fine Arts have also the possibility of borrowing a doctoral hat for the conferment festivities. If you want to borrow a doctoral hat, please contact Michaela Bränn (michaela.brann@uniarts.fi).
Hatmakers
- Hattuliike E. R. Wahlman Oy (Helsinki), www.wahlman.fi
- Ab Melanders Hattfabrik Oy (Helsinki), melandershattfabrik.com
- Hattuateljee Memmu Lankila (Helsinki), www.tohtorinhattu.eu
- Hattuliike Kristiina, hatmaker Kristiina Kivelä (Turku), email: kristiinakivela.hat@gmail.com
- Doctoral hats Harvest EB, www.doctoralhats.harvesteb.com.
Custom evening dresses and repairs
Helsinki Vocational College and Adult Institute offers custom-made evening dresses at an affordable price. The order must be made in March 2024 at the latest. The school can only accept a limited number of orders. You can also ask about repairs and alternations of an existing garment. Please contact the school in good time. Stadin AO, Custom sewing, teacher Sirpa Ahonen, sirpa.ahonen@edu.hel.fi and 0408414642.
Professional sewing services are provided by Ateljee Lindell, for example. Sari Kiuru can bring brand-new evening dresses to life or alter old ones. Sari Kiuru, www.ateljeelindell.com and 040 5622553.
There are also other dressmaking shops that prepare and fix clothes.
Tailcoat repair
Helsinki Vocational College and Adult Institute offers tailcoat repairs and alterations at an affordable price. The school can only accept a limited number of work orders. Please contact the school by the end of March. Stadin AO, tailor training, teacher Raija Mäkelä. raija.makela@edu.hel.fi. and 050 302 2476
Professional tailor services are provided by PukuStudio, for example. PukuStudio offers garment repair as well as tailored suits and dresses for men and women. It is also possible to buy factory made-to-measure suits, tailcoats and shirts by Cavaliere. Orders should be made by 15 May 2024 at the latest. Sonja Raassina, sonja@pukustudio.com and 045 675 4718.
Professional tailcoat sewing, fixing and alteration services are also available from other tailor businesses.
Facebook group Promootiot kierrättää
There is a group on Facebook called Promootiot kierrättää that anyone can join. It is a group where people can offer their own evening dresses, tailcoats and various accessories for others or where they can ask to borrow someone else’s garments. Whether the group is active or passive depends on the conferment cycles of other universities. Because the conferment ceremony of Uniarts Helsinki is in the autumn, participants may have a good chance of finding an attire after the conferment events of the spring.