Pukukoodit
Pukukoodit, or dress codes, are guidelines that indicate the expected level of formality for clothing at a social event. They help hosts communicate how guests should present themselves and set the tone for the occasion. In Finland as in many European countries, invitations may specify a code or use terms such as casual, smart casual, business casual, business formal, semi-formal, formal (black tie), or white tie.
Common codes and general expectations:
- Casual: comfortable, everyday clothing.
- Smart casual: neat, stylish attire; avoids denim and sneakers.
- Business casual: more professional, such as collared shirts and slacks for men, blouses and skirts or
- Semi-formal: suits and ties for men; cocktail dresses or smart outfits for women.
- Formal (black tie): tuxedo or dark suit for men; evening gown or elegant dress for women.
- White tie: tailcoat for men; full-length formal gown for women.
Invitations typically explain the desired level of formality, but guests may still have questions about ambiguity.
Dress codes emerged as social conventions to signal status and occasion type, with formal codes developing
Pukukoodit can be seen as exclusionary or reinforcing gender norms. In recent years, there is a trend