The dress code for the Honorary Doctors' Seminar is smart casual.
It's recommended to dress according to the Swordwhetting dinner's dress code already for the rehearsal, as there is little time to change before the Rector's reception.
Both the doctoral hat and sword are needed at this compulsory rehearsal and they will be deposited at the university ready for the graduation ceremony the following morning.
NB! Every participant must clearly have labelled their own hat and sword beforehand (including borrowed swords)!
The dress code for the sword-whetting dinner is evening attire, i.e., white tie with a white waistcoat, or a coloured full-length evening dress. (NB! A black evening dress can be turned into a coloured dress by wearing colourful accessories such as a bolero, a scarf or similar.)
A uniform can be worn. This dress code is recommended to be worn already to the rehearsal earlier in the day, as there is little time between the occasions to get changed due to the Rector's reception.
No doctoral hats are worn or swords carried at the sword-whetting dinner. No decorations or medals are worn. National or regional dresses or costumes do not comply with the dress code.
The conferment ceremony is a solemn occasion which is reflected in the dress code.
At the ceremony, the promovendi, the honorary doctors, the jubilee doctors and others participating in the solemn processions as well as their companions wear formal evening attire.
Masculine dress
i.e., white tie and tails with a black waistcoat (no pocket handkerchief) and matt shoes
Evening dress includes a black tailcoat, black trousers, a dress shirt, a black waistcoat (please note the change in color), a white bow tie, white gloves and a white pocket handkerchief. The dress shirt must have a starched winged collar and simple cuffs. Ruffled or pleated shirts must not be worn with a tailcoat. The dress shirt buttons must be either pearl or gold; black buttons do not comply with the etiquette.
Wristwatches are not worn with evening dress. When wearing a pocket watch, the watch chain should be only moderately displayed. Black patent leather shoes are worn with evening dress. The socks must also be black.
Feminine dress
i.e. full-length, long-sleeved black evening gown with a modest neckline.
A trouser suit or a long-sleeved black blazer on top of the evening gown is also allowed. No fur, bold jewellery, or hats (except doctoral hats) are permitted. Footwear and tights must be black.
Black shoes are worn with the conferment ceremony dress. The shoes must not be open-toed or backless. Sandals are not sufficiently formal. A minimal necklace and plain stud earrings are permitted. Bags or purses are not permitted. Any necessary small items can be hidden, for example, in a hidden pocket sewn into the gown.
Appropriate fabrics for the gown include wool muslin, silk dupion or heavy satin. The fabric can feature black embroidery, and it can have a woven pattern (e.g., damask). However, the material must not be sheer or include coloured or metallic embroidery. In addition, the fabric also may not include separate ornaments, such as sequins.
Black gloves that cover the wrist and all of the fingers so that no skin is visible are worn with the conferment dress. Suitable gloves are simple and unadorned and cover the back of the hand. The gloves must match the dress, and they must not stand out. Lace gloves are not suitable for the occasion.
Please also note
The doctor's sword is attached to the waist of the trousers/uniform with a button, loop or special belt. For the doctor's sword, you can either sew a button or loop on the trousers or evening dress (on the left side) or use a special sword belt. The button or belt must be black; the material is not specified. For a doctor wearing an evening dress, a good alternative for attaching the sword is a black silk ribbon over the shoulder or a belt hidden under the dress at the waist. If the belt is worn under the suit, an opening must be left in the left side seam of the suit for the belt.
The sword is carried in the Conferment Act only by the doctoral promovendi, honorary doctors, jubilee doctors, the Conferrer, the Master of Ceremonies and the Head Marshal. They will carry their swords in the conferment procession and the Cathedral or National Library, but the sword will not be taken to the Conferment dinner (it can be left in the cloakroom).
When state decorations or academic decorations and medals are worn, they must be full-sized, not miniatures. Student nation or student association colours (sashes, ribbons) and such are not worn at the Conferment.
The most suitable outer garment to be worn with full evening dress is a dark overcoat or cloak. If a scarf is worn, it must be white.
It is recommended that attendees leave any handbags in the cloakroom for the duration of the ceremony.
All doctors, regardless of gender, take off their doctoral hats for the national anthem "Maamme".
Like promovendi, guests can also wear formal evening attire, i.e., white tie and tails with a black waistcoat (no pocket handkerchief) and matte shoes or a full-length, long-sleeved black evening gown with a modest neckline.
For guests it is also acceptable to wear a dark suit (usually black) or a black dress (ankle or knee length).
Doctoral guests and companions can take their own doctoral hats with them to the ceremony and wear it regardless of colour or emblem. Foreign doctoral caps are also permitted. The hat is brought into the Great Hall on the left arm and placed on the head as the Conferrer puts on their own hat. All doctors, regardless of gender, take off their doctoral hats for the national anthem "Maamme". For guests wearing their own doctoral hat the more formal dress code is recommended.
The sword is carried in the Conferment Act only by the doctoral promovendi, honorary doctors, jubilee doctors, the Conferrer, the Master of Ceremonies and the Head Marshal. Guests are not allowed to carry swords.
National or regional dresses or costumes do not comply with the dress code. No fur, bold jewellery, or hats (except doctoral hats) are permitted.
When state decorations or academic decorations and medals are worn, they must be full-sized, not miniatures. Student nation or student association colours (sashes, ribbons) and such are not worn at the Conferment.
It is recommended that attendees leave any handbags in the cloakroom for the duration of the ceremony.
The black conferment dress is also suitable for the conferment dinner. All participants wear evening attire, i.e. white tie and tails, with a white waistcoat and patent (high gloss) black leather shoes, or a full-length black evening gown. In contrast to the dress code of the Act, the dress for the evening doesn't have to be quite so modest, it can also be sleeveless. A blazer or bolero could be added to the evening gown to comply with the stricter dress code of the Conferment Act, and arriving at the Conferment dinner the blazer or bolero can be taken off.
Feminine-dressing companions of promovendi and guests should wear a full-length coloured evening gown (as on Thursday night). The evening gown may be sleeveless or with sleeves, one-piece or two-piece; the main point is that it is appropriate for an academic gala. Jewellery is allowed. Companions and guests may also wear the official uniforms of their profession.
The protocol for wearing state decorations and medals is the same as for the conferment ceremony. When state decorations or academic decorations and medals are worn, they must be full-sized, not miniatures. Student nation or student association colours (sashes, ribbons) and such are not worn at the Conferment.
The sailing is the most casual event of the Conferment. Dressing smart casual is recommended - jeans and t-shirts with logos are still not appropriate for the sailing.
Remember to bring your white student cap, if you have one. Doctoral hats or swords are not worn.