The vibrant overalls worn by Finnish students are known as “haalarit.” These overalls are commonly worn at student gatherings, parties, and academic celebrations.

Each field of study is represented by a specific color, meaning the color of the overalls indicates a student’s program. For instance, engineering students often wear blue, while business students might have red ones. Students personalize their haalarit by sewing on patches they collect from various events, organizations, or humorous slogans. Over time, these patches make every pair unique. Many overalls also feature company logos from sponsors that support student associations. Some students modify their overalls even further by cutting off sleeves, adding decorations, or swapping sections with friends from different programs.

Haalarit are worn at numerous events throughout the year. One of the most significant occasions is Vappu (May Day), when nearly all students put on their overalls to celebrate. They also wear them at sitsit, which are traditional student dinners featuring singing and drinking. During student trips, pub crawls, and academic festivals, haalarit help students identify one another and showcase their school pride.

This tradition is a fun and distinctive way for students to connect and create lasting memories during their studies.