Ceremonial dress

Coronation portrait of King Edward VII of the United Kingdom, showing the coronation regalia atop a full dress military uniform

Ceremonial dress is the clothing worn for very special occasions, such as coronations, graduations, parades, religious rites, and trials. In the hierarchy of dress codes (e.g., Dress code (Western)), ceremonial dress is the most formal and offers almost no room for personal expression. Examples of ceremonial dress include:

• the ermine lined cloak, crown and scepter of a king or queen
• tribal or other dress reserved for the most formal occasions
• the full dress uniforms of military officers
• ceremonial suit of armour, often highly decorated
• the traditional white dress worn once by brides and then never worn after the wedding
• the liturgical vestments of many religions
• academic dress
• court dress, such as the robe and wig worn by British judges

See also

• Dress code (Western)
• costume