The 4 Most Important Rules for Student Overalls
Learn about the most important rules for student overalls. What can and cannot be done with overalls? Student culture traditions explained.
Student overalls are not just clothing - they are part of traditions and culture with their own rules and norms. In this article, we go through the four most important rules for handling overalls.
1. Overalls are not machine-washed
One of the most fundamental rules is that overalls should not be washed traditionally, and certainly not put in a washing machine under any circumstances.
How are overalls cleaned then? Students go swimming with their overalls on - either in the sea, lake, or fountain. In winter, if washing is necessary, overalls are kept on in the shower.
As one student puts it: "When you encounter overall-wearing groups on the street, you start wondering how female students manage their bathroom visits in overalls. Oof, that requires cooperation. The stalls are narrow, you have to fight quite a bit. Sometimes it feels like the sleeve goes into the toilet. It's the ultimate skill sport."
A good tactic is to undo the overall's sleeve knot before going into the stall.
2. Attaching overall patches
Overall patches must absolutely be attached by hand, by sewing yourself. The patches should not show sewing machine stitches or traces of glue.
Some patches have had to be sewn even a second or third time if they have come loose during festivities. Students look down on anyone who uses a sewing machine or glue to attach overall patches.
This is an important part of student culture - patches are achievements and memories, and handling them requires respect and a tradition-following approach.
3. Mismatched leg, sleeve, or pocket
If you see a student with a different-colored leg, sleeve, or pocket on their overalls, it's not an accident - it's a conscious choice.
The traditional way is to exchange the overall's leg, sleeve, or pocket with a partner. This often happens when students are in a relationship or close friendship. The differently colored part represents the partner or friend who studies at another institution or field.
But what happens if the partner changes during study years? Students note that since sewing a mismatched part to another overall was a laborious process, it's not necessarily removed immediately even if the relationship ends.
4. What happens to overalls after studies?
After study time, overalls usually end up at the back of the closet. It's hard to let go of them emotionally - they represent a significant period in life and many memories.
In principle, overalls should no longer be used after study time. However, if May Day was left uncelebrated (like during the pandemic), recent graduates might want to put on their overalls one more time on May Day.
In some cases, old overalls are used as work clothes, for example in painting work or other hobbies. This is one way to give overalls new life, even though study time is over.
Summary
Overalls are not just clothes - they are a cultural institution with their own rules and traditions. Following these rules is part of student culture and community. Although the rules may seem funny or even strange to outsiders, they are an important part of Finnish student life.
If you are a new student or just want to understand overall culture better, these four rules give a good understanding of what is good to know about overalls.