To differentiate students from each degree, course or association, a set of insignia was created, i.e. ribbons with different colours and widths. These are attached to the jacket on the right shoulder together with the University or Student Union badge.

Each colour represents a different degree and each enrolment represents an extra ribbon. When a student successfully passes on to the following year, he or she must replace his or her ribbons with a different one – one centimetre wider.

Because the Academy has different associations, the costume may undergo some minor changes, such as the colour of the socks. This occur especially with students musical groups (Tunas).

The Tricorn is a symbol of admiration and every opportunity it is a good opportunity to wear it. That is why in the Code of Praxis of the University of Minho says that “It will be proof of serious mental incompetence to ask a student why is he or she wearing the Tricorn”.

It was this costume that Diogo was dressed in on September 1996 that caught the eye of Eduarda for the very first time.