Dress code
School of Business Ceremonial Conferment
The conferment ceremony is not just a celebration, but also a play of sorts. It is a ritual, that actualises the transition of the promovendi as they go from student to master or graduate student to doctor. As in all plays, in the conferment ceremony there are roles to play, lines to recite, and costumes in which to dress. The dress code elevates the mood and the feeling of camaraderie and distinguishes the conferment from common parties.
In the conferment ceremony the division of the promovendi into masters and doctors is visible in their colours. The colour of the masters is white, and that of the doctors is black. Men wear black evening tailcoats and black trousers (white tie), so the colours are shown up more vividly in the gowns of the female promovendi and female companions. Black and white are reserved for promovendi and their companions, so other (female) guests must dress colours with the exception of the Act of Conferment.
While the dress codes are given to women and men separately, everyone involved in the conferment has the right to follow the dress code of the gender they identify with. However, as the attires have a strong impact on the overall visuality of the events, we ask to maintain a consistency in dress. Please choose a role and stick with it throughout the conferment events. The choice of male or female dress code affects the grouping of participants in some of the events, as well as the dances. We are happy to help with any dress code related questions: [email protected]
Due to the Covid-19 situation, almost all universities in Finland will be celebrating their conferment ceremonies in the spring 2022. Hence, the hat tailors and dress rental shops are very busy during the spring. We strongly recommend ordering the hat and contacting rental shops already in the autumn 2021 to ensure availability.
Dress codes by roles
The dress code is not flexible, but there are clear instructions for each role and event separately. We expect that each promovendi, companions and guests will dress according to the dress code. As a reminder for the female promovendis and companions, no bags or purses are allowed at the conferment act. You can leave your purse to the cloakroom located in the main lobby of the Main building. Any small needed items may be kept in a hidden pocket sewn into the dress or in the tailcoat pockets of a companion.
| Role | The Act of Conferment | Conferment Banquet and Ball | Laurel Wreath Weaving and herring luncheon (+rehearsals) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Promovendi, male | tailcoat, black waistcoat | tailcoat, white waistcoat, white gloves at the ball | smart casual (non-black suit) |
| Promovendi, female | white full-length high-necked dress | white full-length evening gown, white gloves at the ball | colourful: short (knee or midi height) dress or light jacket suit or sleeve dress |
| Companion, male | tailcoat, black waistcoat (doctoral hat) | tailcoat, white waistcoat, white gloves at the ball (doctoral hat) | smart casual (non-black suit) |
| Companion, female | white full-length high-necked dress (doctoral hat) | white full-length evening gown, white gloves at the ball (doctoral hat) | colourful: short (knee or midi height) dress or light jacket suit or sleeve dress |
| Role | The Act of Conferment | Conferment Banquet and Ball | Laurel Wreath Weaving and herring luncheon | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jubilee master, male | tailcoat, black waistcoat (doctoral hat) | tailcoat, white waistcoat, white gloves at the ball (doctoral hat) | smart casual (non-black suit) | |
| Jubilee master, female | black full-length high-necked dress (doctoral hat) | black full-length evening gown, black gloves at the ball (doctoral hat) | colourful: short (knee or midi height) dress or light jacket suit or sleeve dress | |
| Companion, male | tailcoat, black waistcoat (doctoral hat) | tailcoat, white waistcoat, white gloves at the ball (doctoral hat) | smart casual (non-black suit) | |
| Companion, female | black full-length high-necked dress (doctoral hat) |
|
colourful: short (knee or midi height) dress or light jacket suit or sleeve dress |
| Role | The Act of Conferment | Conferment Banquet and Ball | Laurel Wreath Weaving and herring luncheon (+rehearsals) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Promovendi, male | tailcoat, black waistcoat, doctoral hat | tailcoat, white waistcoat, white gloves at the ball, doctoral hat | smart casual (non-black suit) |
| Promovendi, female | black full-length high-necked dress, doctoral hat | black full-length evening gown, black gloves at the ball, doctoral hat | colourful: short (knee or midi height) dress or light jacket suit or sleeve dress |
| Companion, male | tailcoat, black waistcoat (doctoral hat) | tailcoat, white waistcoat, white gloves at the ball (doctoral hat) | smart casual (non-black suit) |
| Companion, female | black full-length high-necked dress (doctoral hat) | black full-length evening gown, black gloves at the ball (doctoral hat) | colourful: short (knee or midi height) dress or light jacket suit or sleeve dress |
| Role | The Act of Conferment | Conferment Banquet and Ball | Laurel Wreath Weaving and herring luncheon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jubilee doctor, male* | tailcoat, black waistcoat, doctoral hat | tailcoat, white waistcoat, white gloves at the ball, doctoral hat | smart casual (non-black suit) |
| Companion, male | tailcoat, black waistcoat (doctoral hat) | tailcoat, white waistcoat, white gloves at the ball (doctoral hat) | smart casual (non-black suit) |
| Companion, female | black full-length high-necked dress (doctoral hat) | black full-length evening gown, black gloves at the ball (doctoral hat) | colourful: short (knee or midi height) dress or light jacket suit or sleeve dress |
*all jubilee doctors at the 2022 conferment are male
| Role | The Act of Conferment | Conferment Banquet and Ball | Laurel Wreath Weaving and herring luncheon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guest, male | tailcoat, black waistcoat or black suit (doctoral hat) | tailcoat, white waistcoat, white gloves at the ball (doctoral hat) | smart casual (non-black suit) |
| Guest, female | black full-length high-necked dress or jacket suit (doctoral hat) | colourful full-length evening gown (doctoral hat) | colourful: short (knee or midi height) dress or light jacket suit or sleeve dress |
More detailed instructions and FAQ
The doctoral hat of the Aalto University School of Business is black with a straight brim and the cockade of the School of Business. The doctoral hats worn by Doctor of Philosophy graduates of the Aalto University School of Business are similar to those worn by Doctor of Science (Economics and Business Administration) graduates.
The doctoral hat, a symbol of status, merits respect. It should not, for example, be placed upside down on the table.
When ordering your hat, please mention that it is specifically for the conferment ceremony of Aalto University School of Business.
You may also rent a doctoral hat for the conferment. The hats for hire must be neat, the right size and the hat of the Aalto University School of Business.
Note! Due to the Covid-19 situation, the hat tailors will be very busy at the spring 2022. We strongly recommend ordering your hat already in the autumn 2021 to ensure availability.
Recommendations for hat tailors:
Wahlman: https://www.wahlman.fi/tuotteet/tohtoreille/
Hat tailor E.R. Wahlman offers a 10% discount, when ordered before 30.11.2021.
Melanders Hattfabrik: https://melandershattfabrik.com/
The tailcoat set comprises the black tails, black trousers, a white stiff-fronted shirt, waistcoat, white bowtie and white gloves. At the Act of Conferment the waistcoat is black, and at the Banquet and Ball, white.
When wearing a black vest, no pocket square (handkerchief) is displayed. It may be used, however, with a white vest. Pocket squares are not used with major decorations or medals of honour.
The shirt worn with a tailcoat has a stiff wing collar with simple cuffs. Frilled or pleated shirts are unsuited to tailcoats. Tailcoat studs are of mother-of-pearl or gold (black studs are only for funerals).
Do not use a wristwatch with your tailcoat. Pocket watches are allowed, but the fob chains must not be unduly visible.
Black patent-leather shoes are traditionally used with tailcoats. However, at this Act of Conferment also black polished thin-soled leather shoes can be used in place of patent-leatherd ones. The socks should also be black.
Dark coats or capes are the best outer garments for a tailcoat. If a scarf is worn, it should be white.
The following tailcoat rentals, for example, are familiar with the School of Business dress code and therefore are recommendable:
Frakkipalvelu NAM: https://frakkipalvelunam.fi/
Frakkivuokraus Gasell GP: https://www.frakkivuokraus.fi/fi
The black or white dress worn at the Conferment Act is full-length and demure (colour is assigned by the role, see the dress codes' table above). The dress should be simple and elegant.
The white dress should be pure white. For the purpose of conferment, 'white' means a colour that looks white when viewed alongside photocopier paper. Not an off-white or cream white. It is important that the dresses be uniform in tone, as any deviations will stand out conspicuously when the female masters and companions walk together in the procession.
The black dress should be pure blac, not dark blue or grey.
The white fabric may include white embroidering (and black fabric black embroidering), or a pattern such as damast. The material must not be see-through or contain metallic or coloured-thread embroidering.
The dress worn at the conferment must be full-length and well covering. The hem of the dress should extend over the ankle bone. The sleeves should be full-length, extending to the wrists. The neckline should be close to the collarbones. The dress should allow one to ascend and descend the stairs in a dignified manner. Dresses that have trains or extend to the floor should therefore be avoided.
White shoes are worn with the white conferment dress. Black dress is worn with black shoes and black tights. The shoes should be closed at the toe and heel. Sandals are inadequately formal for the conferment.
Small pieces of jewellery may be worn. For instance, a thin chain with small pendant or an unassuming stud. Wedding rings are allowed, but other rings should be left home during the Act of Conferment
No bags or purses are allowed at the Act of Conferment. Any small needed items may be kept in a hidden pocket sewn into the dress or possibly in the tailcoat pockets of a companion.
The conferment attire as a set may consist of, for example, a black or white (colour is assigned by the role, see table above) full-length gown and a (similar coloured) long-sleeved bolero or coat that covers the upper torso.
As for the Act of Conferment itself, white and black are the dress colours for the Banquet (colour assigned by the role, see table above). The evening dress is full-length and understated. The banquet may be attended wearing the same dress as in the Act of Conferment, but without the covering coat or bolero.
Gloves are to be worn at the ball. Their length depends on the sleeve length. If the dress is sleeveless, long sleeves that go below or above elbow may be used. Gloves are worn at the dance, but not while dining. And evening bag or purse is allowed but it must match the dress colour. However, it is not used at the dance.
Male guests
Male guests seated at the Assembly Hall are asked to be dressed in tailcoats with black waistcoat or in uniforms appropriate to their profession (please read more detailed instructions on tailcoats and the use of uniforms).
If there are many guests coming, the Act of Conferment can be followed also outside the Assembly Hall and then an ordinary black suit will do. The suit may also be dark blue. A white dress shirt should be worn with the suit. The necktie is to be subdued and dark-toned, but not black.
Female guests
The female guests seated inside the Assembly Hall are asked to be dressed in full-length, well-covering and black dress or jacket suit. Bags or purses may not be brought into the Assembly all, but must be left at the cloakroom.
If there are many guests coming, the Act can be followed also outside the Assembly Hall and then the dress code is more relaxed. However, short hemlines and short sleeves are inappropriate. Similarly, the colors worn should be subdued. The attire must be dignified.
For the Banquet and Ball, female guests should wear a coloured dress, something other than black and white. It would be good, in fact, that there are no black or white elements in the dress.
Guests may, in contrast to the promovendi, wear eye-catching jewelry at the ball; however, it should be kept in mind that most participants will be dressed reservedly.
The evening dress is full-length and understated. An evening bag or purse is allowed, but it must match the dress colour. However, it is not used at the dance. Female guests can wear gloves (color matching to the dress) at the ball if they wish, but it is not necessary.
Uniforms
The promovendi should not use uniforms. Companions and invited guests entitled to official uniforms may wear them to all of the conferment events. In such cases, they are to follow their given rules respecting the use of the uniform.
One should take into account the colour for one's group. For example, those normally in white, such as female promovendi companions, are advised to avoid dressing in a dark uniform, especially at the Act of Conferment.
Medals of Honour
Medals awarded by the state may be worn at the Act of Conferment and at the Banquet and Ball. The placement of the medals should follow the directions of the respective order. Finnish medal of honour awardees are obliged to wear their medals, and they should be worn in their original size (not in their miniature-size versions). Academic merits, medals, student association ribbons, etc. are not allowed at either the Act of Conferment or the Banquet.
No types of medals are worn at the wreath-weaving event nor at the herring luncheon.
The Act of Conferment involves plenty of walking so comfortable shoes that do not squeeze or chafe one's feet are recommended. Another thing to remember when choosing your footwear is that everyone's shoes will be visible as they step onto the stage.
National dress is not allowed during the conferment ceremony. All kinds of fur trim or fur frills are also forbidden. As a courtesy to persons with allergies, strongly scented perfumes, colognes, etc. are not allowed. The promovendi have to stand close to each other for several hours.
How open can Act of Conferment dress be?
Dress for the Act of Conferment should have full-length sleeves, i.e. up to the wrist. Neither the dress, nor sleeves, should be see-through. The neckline should not be open, but close to the collarbones. The conferment banquet dress, however, can have more décolletage, and see-through applications and decorations, for example, are allowed.
Does the dress for the Act of Conferment need to be one piece?
No, also an evening gown with a jacket or bolero is allowed. The important thing is that the colour for the attire be right for the occasion and that it provides sufficient coverage (full-length and high-necked).
Does one wear gloves at the conferment? If so, what kind?
Gloves are no longer part of the daytime events at the conferment, but they are worn at the banquet. The gloves are taken off whilst dining, but they are worn during the welcome toast. Gloves are used again when the dances start or when one exits a table. Female participants use bracelets on top of the gloves, but rings inside them.
What kind of a purse or handbag is appropriate?
One does not use a handbag (purse) at the Act of Conferment. It can be left at the guarded cloakroom. At the evening banquet, the handbag must match the colour of the gown. Please notice, handbags are not used while dancing.
Pictures for reference
References:
- School of Business previous conferments
- https://fil-promootio2019.helsinki.fi/pukeutumisohjeet/
Contact information
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