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PhD candidate

Defending your doctorate or serving as paranymph? Almost every university expects a tailcoat. The rules per university, from Groningen to Leuven.

Shop TailcoatsThe outfit, piece by piece

At a glance

  • PhD candidates & paranymphs

    Tailcoat

  • Unsure?

    Choose the tailcoat: correct almost everywhere

  • The waistcoat

    White or black, depending on the university

  • The bow tie

    White

  • Shoes

    Black patent leather shoes

  • Check

    Your university's protocol

The formality ladder

The outfit, piece by piece

What to wear, why, and where to find it.

  1. 01

    Tailcoat

    Tailcoat jacket, dress shirt with wing collar, white tie waistcoat, bow tie and trousers: the complete tailcoat, also available as a set at GENTS.

    Shop tailcoats
    Tuxedo/Tailcoat Trousers Black — on model

    Tuxedo/Tailcoat Trousers Black

    (12)

    € 44,95

    Tailcoat/Tuxedo Trousers in Wool Blend, Black — on model

    Tailcoat/Tuxedo Trousers in Wool Blend, Black

    (2)

    € 59,95

    Dinner Jacket Black — on model

    Dinner Jacket Black

    (4)

    € 79,95

    Tailcoat in Wool Blend, Black — on model

    Tailcoat in Wool Blend, Black

    € 119,95

  2. 02

    Dress shirt with wing collar

    White, with a wing collar and double cuffs.

    Shop dress shirts
    Dress Shirt White — on model

    Dress Shirt White

    (4)

    € 29,95

  3. 03

    White or black white tie waistcoat

    White piqué in Rotterdam and Leiden, black at the VU and at some ceremonies. Check with the beadle.

    Shop waistcoats
    White Tailcoat Waistcoat — on model

    White Tailcoat Waistcoat

    (4)

    € 29,95

  4. 04

    White bow tie

    A white self-tie bow tie or a pre-tied one of good quality.

    Shop bow ties
    Bow Tie Piqué Pre-Tied White

    Bow Tie Piqué Pre-Tied White

    (1)

    € 9,95

    Bow Tie Self-Tie Piqué White

    Bow Tie Self-Tie Piqué White

    € 9,95

Do

  • Tailcoat with white piqué waistcoat (Rotterdam, Leiden)
  • Black waistcoat where the university requires it (VU)
  • White bow tie and patent leather shoes
  • Check the protocol with the beadle

Don't

  • Dark suit where a tailcoat is required (Delft)
  • Watch
  • Belt

The complete etiquette

All the rules, background and exceptions at a glance.

A doctoral defence calls for clear dress codes. These vary by university and by role.

A doctoral defence at a university comes with a dress protocol. The rules for the candidate and the paranymphs often differ from those for the doctoral committee. Within the committee, there are also differences between professors and the other members.

Important
In most cases, a tailcoat suit is the safest and most correct choice for men.

GENTS offers the tailcoat suit — most commonly worn by the candidate and paranymphs — at an attractive price and with matching accessories.

The Netherlands

Groningen

  • Professors: gown and cap
  • Other committee members: dark suit
  • Candidate: tailcoat suit preferred

Leiden

  • Candidate and paranymphs: tailcoat suit
  • Black waistcoat, white bow tie

Utrecht

  • Tailcoat suit or dark suit permitted
  • Women: skirt suit or festive dress

Wageningen

  • Tailcoat suit preferred
  • Committee: gown or formal attire

Amsterdam (VU & UvA)

  • VU: tailcoat suit with black waistcoat
  • UvA: no strict rules, tailcoat suit recommended

Rotterdam

  • Tailcoat suit with white waistcoat and white bow tie

Maastricht

  • Tailcoat suit preferred
  • Women: tenue de ville

Tilburg

  • Tailcoat suit recommended
  • Alternative: suitable festive attire

Enschede (UT)

  • Tailcoat suit or morning coat
  • Foreign attire permitted

Delft

  • Tailcoat suit mandatory
  • Committee: gown or morning coat

Eindhoven

  • Candidate: tailcoat suit
  • Committee: gown or suit

Nijmegen

  • Tailcoat suit or formal attire

Belgium

Antwerp

  • Often no strict dress code
  • Tailcoat suit strongly recommended for men
  • Women: formal, understated attire

Leuven (KU Leuven)

  • Traditionally formal
  • Tailcoat suit or dark suit
GENTS tip
In doubt? Always choose a tailcoat suit. At virtually every university, it is the safest and most correct choice.

Also good to know

EveningWhite tieRead more →
EveningGalaRead more →
Day & eveningTenue de villeRead more →

Prefer personal advice?

In doubt? Our stylists know every dress code.

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