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From Celebration to Celebration
Author: Pirjo Saravirta
Dress Code for the Conferment Ceremony
This guide introduces the dress code for the conferment ceremony
at Lappeenranta University of Technology. The following dress code should
be observed at the conferment ceremony of Lappeenranta University of Technology
to establish in-house traditions. The instructions may, in some respects,
differ from those of other universities.
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- Conferment Ceremony REHEARSAL,
SWORD CEREMONY
CONFERMENT,
CHURCH SERVICE
BANQUENT AND BALL
RECIPIENT OF
(HONORARY)
DOCTORATE,
male
Dark suit
White tie
tails, black vest, no
handkerchief, black leather
shoes (not patent leather)
White tie
tails, white vest, no
handkerchief, doctoral
hat, decorations
RECIPIENT OF
(HONORARY)
DOCTORATE,
female
Semi-formal
daytime attire
Formal, full-length
daytime attire
black, long sleeves, high
neckline, no ornate
jewellery, no pantsuit
Formal evening gown,
any colour, doctoral hat,
decorations
COMPANION OF
RECIPIENT
male
Dark suit
Dark suit or white tie
and tails, black vest,
no handkerchief (doctors:
academic regalia)
White tie
tails, white vest, no
handkerchief (doctors:
doctoral hat), decorations
COMPANION OF
RECIPIENT
female
Semi-formal
daytime attire
Semi-formal daytime attire
black or dark, short, long
sleeves, high neckline
(doctors: academic regalia)
Formal evening gown
any colour, (doctors:
doctoral hat), decorations
INVITED GUEST,
male
Dark suit
Dark suit or white tie
and tails, black vest,
no handkerchief (doctors:
academic regalia)
White tie
tails, white vest, no
handkerchief (doctors:
doctoral hat), decorations
INVITED GUEST,
female
Semi-formal
daytime attire
Semi-formal daytime attire
black or dark, short, long
sleeves, high neckline
(doctors: academic regalia)
Formal evening gown
any colour, (doctors:
doctoral hat), decorations
........................................................................................................................................................................................................
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- Dark Suit A dark suit is alternatively black, dark blue or dark grey. It is never brown or green. The fabric is
smooth, rather thin and of a solid colour (or seemingly so). Instead of a solid colour, the suit may
also be conservatively or barely noticeably striped, but not pin-striped. The jacket may be single- or
double-breasted. During the festivities, it may be removed only at the request of the host. A dark suit
is appropriate for any occasion, regardless of the time of day.
SHIRT
The shirt is of high quality, white and with a starched wingtip or Windsor collar.
Single or double cuffs, always with cufflinks.
NECKTIE
The necktie may be dark blue or grey and it is made of silk. A pearl grey necktie is
considered the most formal. The tie is always chosen according to the occasion.
A black necktie is worn to funerals. Also a bowtie may be worn with a dark suit.
A wingtip collar requires a bowtie. In academic festivities, the bowtie is of a conservative colour, such as pearl grey.
VEST
A vest may be worn with a single-breasted suit, provided that it is made from the
same fabric as the suit. According to time-honouring traditions, the bottom button
of the vest is always left unbuttoned.
OVERCOAT
A dark blue, dark grey or black ulster overcoat or trench coat may be worn over
a dark suit. The coat must be knee-length or longer.
GLOVES
Gloves are made of black or grey leather.
SCARF
The scarf may be solid or patterned silk or cashmere.
DECORATIONS
Please see “Decorations”.
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- Dark Suit, Accessories BELT
A black leather belt with a simple buckle may be worn with a dark suit.
No suspenders are worn with the belt.
SUSPENDERS
Suspenders worn with a dark suit must be narrow and of the same colour
as the suit.
SOCKS
The socks are black, knee-high and made of wool or mercerised cotton.
SHOES
The shoes are black, laced and thin-soled.
WATCH
A wrist-watch may be worn with a dark suit.
JEWELLERY
No unnecessary jewellery (e.g. earrings, bracelets or piercings) are worn with
a dark suit. A wedding band is, naturally, allowed. Alumni rings are worn on the
left index finger. No tie clips may be worn. Less is more.
No pocket handkerchiefs are worn to academic events.
POCKET
HANDKERCHIEFS
.
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- Women’s Semi-Formal Daytime Attire When men wear a dark suit, women may wear a sophisticated, festive dress, a delicate two-piece
suit with a knee-length skirt, or an elegant pantsuit.
Classic semi-formal daytime attire may consist of a black cocktail dress or shell paired with a jacket
or blazer made from the same fabric. The hemline may be mini or full-length, depending on the
person and the nature of the occasion.
Semi-formal daytime attire may be of any colour. However, it should always have a high neckline
and full-length sleeves.
The overall appearance should be sophisticated, conservative and balanced.
In the conferment ceremony, women always wear a black attire with full-length sleeves and a high
neckline.
CONFERMENT REHEARSAL,
SWORD SHARPENING
- recipient of (honorary) doctorate
- female companion of the recipient
- invited guest
CONFERMENT
- female companion of the recipient
- invited guest
COLOUR
Any.
Black.
HOSIERY
Sheer, elegant, and of a solid colour
matching the attire or shoes.
Solid black or nude, sheer, high-quality.
SHOES
Elegant pumps, colour matching
the attire.
Simple, black pumps.
WATCH
A jewellery watch.
A simple, unassuming wrist-watch.
JEWELLERY
Fine jewellery with a solid-colour
attire. Modest jewellery with a
patterned attire.
Unassuming jewellery. A simple pearl
or gold necklace.
HANDBAG
A small clutch or elegant, shoulderheld purse, preferably matching the
shoes.
A simple, black, shoulder-held purse.
GLOVES
Gloves are not necessary.
No gloves.
OUTERWEAR
A wrap is also appropriate.
A black coat or wrap.
HAT
No hat.
No hat.
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- White tie Men's formal evening wear is white tie, which is worn after 18:00 in the evening. Academic festivities
are an exception to the rule: they may require white tie also in the daytime.
The tailcoat is made of wool or a wool blend. The lapels and the outer seams of the trousers are of
silk. At academic events, tails are always black. At other events, tails may also be midnight blue,
grey or even white.
The garments should be put on in the following order: 1. socks, trousers, 2. shoes, 3. shirt, studs,
cufflinks, 4. suspenders, 5. bowtie, 6. vest, 7. tailcoat.
SHIRT
The shirt is white and has a starched wingtip collar; the wingtips are folded
downward and under the bowtie. The front of the shirt dons a white starched
dickey made from the same fabric as the vest, tie and cuffs. The shirt is fastened
with pearly white or gold studs. The cuffs are fastened with cufflinks which match
the studs. One to two centimetres of the cuffs should show from under the
tailcoat sleeves.
BOWTIE
The bowtie is white; black is reserved for waiters.
VEST
The vest is either single- or double-breasted. All of the buttons are fastened. The
vest is open-backed with a rubber band adjuster at the back of the neck to adjust
the length of the front panels. They may be as long as the front panels of the
tailcoat, or at most one or two centimetres longer, and aligned with the tailcoat.
A black vest should not be longer than the tailcoat. The shirt should not show from
between the vest and the waistband of the trousers. A white vest is fastened with
three studs similar to those of the shirt. A black vest is fastened with black studs.
Black vest: public defence of a dissertation, conferment ceremony and church
service.
White vest: karonkka banquet if ladies present, conferment banquet and ball if
ladies present.
OVERCOAT
In the winter, the appropriate choice is a dark, wool ulster overcoat that covers
the tails. Also a velvet or wool cloak may be used. Other seasons call for a dark
trench coat.
GLOVES
White kid gloves or white gloves made of a knitted cotton or synthetic fabric.
SCARF
KThe scarf is made of white silk. It is folded under the lapels of the overcoat.
If worn with a cloak, one end may be flung over the shoulder.
DECORATIONS
Please see “Decorations”.
If it rains, a transparent raincoat or rain-cape may be worn to the academic procession.
Umbrellas must be black.
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- White Tie, Accessories BELT
No belt is worn with the trousers.
SUSPENDERS
If suspenders are used, they must be white and worn under the vest. Suspenders
are recommended, because when they are attached in alignment with the crease,
they support the trousers.
SOCKS
Socks are black and reach at least the mid-calf, preferably the knee, fully covering
the ankle. The recommended fabric is silk.
SHOES
At daytime events, the shoes are of matte leather and have thin soles. The shoes
must always be polished and in good condition. In the evening after 18:00, patent
leather shoes are worn.
WATCH
The appropriate choice of watch is a pocket watch, which is placed in the left
pocket of the trousers. The chain is attached to the waistband, to the immediate
left of the suspenders. The watch may also be kept in the left pocket of the vest,
in which case the chain is attached loosely to the lowest button-hole of the vest.
JEWELLERY
No unnecessary jewellery (i.e. earrings, bracelets, piercings) should be worn with
white tie. A wedding band is, naturally, allowed. Alumni rings are worn on the left
index finger.
HANDKERCHIEF
No pocket handkerchiefs are worn to academic events. On other occasions,
a white pocket square made of silk or cotton cambric is appropriate.
WALLET
If it is necessary to carry a wallet, it should be placed in the breast pocket. It
should not, however, create a bulge in the coat. The wallet should not be placed
in the back pocket of the trousers.
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DOCTORAL HAT
Holders of a doctoral degree wear a doctoral hat to the conferment. At the
conferment banquet and ball, the hat is checked with outerwear.
DOCTORAL
SWORD
No sword is worn to the banquet and ball.
Further Information
• The tails of the tailcoat are tucked aside when seated.
• The suit must fit properly.
• The tails should fall below the knees. The front panels of the tailcoat should fall just below
the waist.
• The legs of the trousers should reach the top of the shoe heel.
• A white handkerchief is kept in one of the trouser pockets.
• The tailcoat should not be removed during the festivities.
• Men’s hair should be clean and neatly cut. Long hair is tied back with a black or otherwise
unassuming hair-band or barrette.
• Cellular phones are not part of formal wear.
• For fastening the doctoral sword, please see the figure.
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- Women’s Formal Daytime Attire, Doctor (Conferment and Church Service)
Woman degree recipients wear a full-length black dress with full-length sleeves and a closed, high
neckline to the conferment. Pantsuits are not appropriate for the occasion.
The style of the dress should be classic and timeless. The fabric should be elegant (velvet, wool),
but not too festive, glossy or transparent. No fur should be worn. If the degree recipient also receives
a sword, the dress should be accessorised with a suitable belt. The sword may, however, also be
carried in hand.
HOSIERY
Solid black, sheer, elegant.
SHOES
Simple, black pumps.
WATCH
No watch.
JEWELLERY
Preferably no jewellery (possibly a simple pearl or gold necklace).
HANDBAG
No handbag.
BELT
A belt matching the attire, possibly of the same fabric as the dress, which
can carry the weight of the sword.
GLOVES
No gloves.
OUTERWEAR
A simple, black coat or wrap. If it rains, a transparent raincoat or rain-cape may
be worn to the academic procession. Umbrellas must be black.
DECORATIONS
Please see “Decorations”.
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- Formal Evening Gown Ladies’ formal evening wear is determined by the man’s attire. Women’s equivalent for white tie is a
long evening gown. It is full-length and worn after 18:00 in the evening.
The dress must fit properly and be made of a festive fabric, such as silk, satin, taffeta, silk velvet,
chiffon or brocade. Stretching woven velvet fabrics or inexpensive synthetic fabrics are not an
appropriate choice for an evening gown. The gown may have an open neckline or back, narrow
shoulder straps (or no straps), long slits or a train. Festive fine jewellery, which may be too ornate for
other dresses, may be worn with an evening gown. Evening gowns are always worn with the
appropriate undergarments.
An evening gown may be donned in any colour, even by doctoral degree recipients.
Appropriate outerwear includes coats, capes, furs, wraps or stoles.
- Formal Evening Gown; Accessories HOSIERY
High-quality, sheer hosiery with sheen (containing lycra) goes with an evening
gown. As a rule, the more formal the event, the sheerer the texture. The colour
of the hosiery depends on the dress. Silver or gold shimmer brings a festive
touch to the attire, whereas nude is always a safe choice.
SHOES
The shoes should be elegant and delicate. They may be of suede, or gold, silver
or bronze coloured leather, or a fabric that matches the gown. Open-toed shoes,
sling-backs, sandals or mules may be worn with a gown made of a fine fabric.
The shoes may also be embellished with glitter, crystal, beads, etc., depending
on the gown.
WATCH
No watch is worn with an evening gown, with the exception of jewellery watches.
JEWELLERY
Fine jewellery or a jewellery watch may be worn with an evening gown.
The necklace must follow the neckline of the gown.
PURSE
The purse should be a small, elegant clutch (i.e. no shoulder strap) which matches
the attire. The clutch is not held while dancing. During dinner, the
clutch may be placed on the table, left of the place setting. Otherwise, the purse
is never placed on the table or the floor. The appropriate place for it is on the
seat, close to the back rest.
GLOVES
Gloves may be worn with a strapless dress or a dress with narrow straps. They
may be white, black, or the colour of the dress. They are removed for dinner.
HANDKERCHIES
Handkerchiefs are kept in the purse.
SCENTS
Perfumes are a part of festive occasions. However, they should be used
conservatively. Other guests may find strong scents offensive.
HAIR STYLE
An evening gown requires a festive hair style. Depending on the style, the hair
may be adorned with barrettes, combs, flowers and other hair accessories
(tiaras, jewel headbands, etc.).
DOCTORAL HAT
At the conferment banquet and ball, doctoral hats are checked with outerwear.
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SWORD
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Doctoral swords are not worn to the banquet and ball.
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- Decorations Women wear medals and commemorative crosses of orders halfway between the left armhole and
the centre of the torso, approximately ten centimetres down from the shoulder seam. Other
decorations may be worn simultaneously. Women may wear either full-size or miniature decorations.
Decorations set certain requirements for the formal gown, which should be taken into account when
selecting the gown. The fabric should be strong enough to hold the decorations in place.
Decorations should not touch exposed skin.
Orders’ cross-shaped decorations and medals that hang from a ribbon are worn on the left front
panel of a tailcoat. The upper edge of the ribbon should be approximately two centimetres above the
breast pocket. They must all be attached to the same fastener to keep them aligned. If there is only
one, it should be attached halfway between the sleeve seam and the centre of the torso. Either fullsize or miniature decorations may be worn with white tie – this is mentioned in the invitation. No
pocket handkerchief is worn with decorations.
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- Doctoral hat and sword Doctors from Lappeenranta University of Technology – Doctors of Science in Technology or
Economics and Business Administration and Doctors of Philosophy – receive a black doctoral hat. In
addition to a hat, Doctors of Science in Economics and Business Administration and Doctors of
Philosophy also receive a sword. The doctoral regalia are the doctoral hat and sword.
The proper way to store the hat and sword is in their original boxes. They should be handled with
care and due respect. Only the recipients of the regalia are allowed to wear them.
The colours of hats received from other faculties in Finland.
DEGREE
HAT
Doctor of Science (Technology)
Black, bent brim
Doctor of Science (Economics and
Business Administration)
Black
Doctor of Philosophy
Black
Doctor of Education
Black
Doctor of Medicine
Green
Doctor of Dental Science
(Turku )
Green
(black)
Doctor of Science (Health Care)
Black
Doctor of Arts (Art and Design)
Bright blue
Doctor of Theology
(Åbo Akademi University)
Purple
(black)
Doctor of Law
Burgundy
Doctor of Sport Sciences
Dark blue
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-Marshals The marshal’s sash is made of silk or a silk-like fabric, and it is usually blue and white. Its width is
approximately 25–35 cm and its length 2.5 m. The sash is never worn in contact with exposed skin.
Men wear a dark suit (please see “Dark Suit”, page 3). The sash is worn over the right shoulder and
under the left arm.
Women wear a festive suit (please see “Women’s Semi-Formal Daytime Attire”/Conferment, page 5),
which is black. The skirt is at least knee-length and the neckline is high. A white top is worn under
the jacket. The sash is worn over the left shoulder and under the right arm.
HAT
Marshals wear a student cap.
HOSIERY
Black, sheer, high-quality hosiery. Colour: solid or nude.
SHOES
Simple, black pumps.
WATCH
An unassuming, simple wrist-watch.
JEWELLERY
No ornate jewellery. A simple pearl or gold necklace may be worn.
DECORATIONS
No decorations are worn with the marshal's sash.