When you walk into a Starbucks, you expect a certain experience – friendly service, a cozy atmosphere, and of course, a delicious handcrafted beverage. But have you ever stopped to consider how the baristas‘ attire plays into that carefully curated vibe? The Starbucks dress code is an essential element of the brand‘s identity, walking the line between approachability and professionalism.
As a prospective or current Starbucks employee, navigating the dress code can seem daunting at first. But fear not – we‘ve brewed up the ultimate guide to help you understand the ins and outs of the Starbucks look. We‘ll dive into the nitty gritty details of the current policies, compare the Starbucks dress code to other popular retailers, and hear from real baristas about their experiences. So grab a cup of coffee and let‘s get started!
The Current Starbucks Look Book
The holy grail of the Starbucks dress code is the "Look Book" – a handy guide that every barista receives upon hiring. The most recent version, updated in 2019, features images of approved clothing and accessory items along with the overarching philosophy behind the dress code.
The Look Book states, "As a partner, your appearance is a reflection of the Starbucks brand and how we show up collectively for our customers. At the same time, we want your personality and style to shine through—just as they always have. We believe the Starbucks Experience is best delivered by partners who are committed to actively supporting an inclusive culture through their individual expression."
In other words, Starbucks wants baristas to maintain a polished, inviting appearance while still having some flexibility to express themselves. It‘s a delicate balance, but one that Starbucks feels is important to get right. Let‘s break down the key components of the dress code.
The Color Palette
The foundation of the Starbucks aesthetic is the color palette, which includes:
- Black
- White
- Gray (charcoal or graphite)
- Navy blue
- Brown
- Khaki/tan
Tops, pants, skirts and shoes should incorporate these core colors. Patterns are allowed as long as they are subtle and in the appropriate color family. For example, thin navy and white stripes or a muted charcoal herringbone would pass muster, but a bold red buffalo check would not.
Pops of the signature Starbucks green are encouraged for accessories like ties, scarves, socks and hair pieces. This allows baristas to create visual continuity with the green apron and logos.
Tops and Bottoms
Starbucks aims for a look that is relaxed yet refined. Accepted top styles include:
- Button-down shirts
- Blouses
- Polos
- Professional-looking t-shirts (solid colors, no graphics)
- Sweaters and cardigans
Tops should be in good condition without rips, holes or stains. Shirts and sweaters should provide appropriate coverage – no tank tops, spaghetti straps or anything too revealing. White tops should be opaque enough to hide undergarments.
As for bottoms, baristas have several options:
- Jeans (no holes or distressing)
- Khakis and chinos
- Skirts that hit around knee-length
- Dresses with opaque tights
All pants and skirts should fit close to the body but not be skin-tight. Leggings, athletic wear, shorts and capris are not part of the dress code.
Footwear
Comfortable, supportive footwear is key for baristas who spend long hours on their feet. Approved shoe styles include:
- Closed-toe leather, suede or fabric dress shoes
- Sneakers and tennis shoes (neutral colors, minimal logos)
- Ankle boots
- Flats with secure straps
Shoes should have slip-resistant soles for safety purposes. Flip flops, sandals, Crocs, Uggs and other open-toe or backless shoes are not permitted.
Accessories
The green Starbucks apron is the most recognizable element of the barista uniform. Aprons should be clean, pressed and worn full-length (not folded at the waist). Baristas can personalize their aprons with a Starbucks-issued name tag and company pins.
Under the apron, accessories are welcome as a form of self-expression, as long as they align with the overall aesthetic and aren‘t distracting. Some popular options are:
- Ties and bowties
- Scarves
- Suspenders
- Hats (beanies, baseball caps, fedoras)
- Simple jewelry
Hats and hair accessories must be in the Starbucks color palette. Beanies are a favorite among baristas for keeping hair contained.
Grooming Guidelines
In the food service industry, personal hygiene is just as important as attire. Starbucks expects baristas to be well-groomed with a tidy appearance at all times. That means:
- Showering regularly
- Wearing deodorant
- Keeping hair clean and styled (pulled back if longer than chin-length)
- Maintaining trimmed nails without polish
- Avoiding heavy fragrances
- Brushing teeth
- Covering cuts and wounds
- Not chewing gum or smoking while working
These guidelines help ensure the health and safety of both baristas and customers. Starbucks also prohibits visible face and neck tattoos and unnatural hair colors, although many other tattoos and hair dyes are permitted.
The Psychology of Dress Codes
So why does Starbucks put so much thought into its dress code? According to Dr. Jennifer Baumgartner, a psychologist who specializes in the connection between clothing and behavior, what employees wear has a significant impact on customer perceptions and experience.
"Dress codes provide visual cues about a company‘s identity and values," explains Dr. Baumgartner. "In the case of Starbucks, the relaxed yet put-together look of the baristas conveys a sense of warmth, comfort and attention to detail. It tells customers that they can expect a certain standard of service."
Studies have shown that uniforms and dress codes also play a role in employee performance and job satisfaction. A 2016 survey by the employee uniform company Cintas found that 65% of workers said that company attire impacted their productivity, while 57% said it improved their attitude at work.
"When employees feel good about their appearance and know they are representing the company well, it boosts morale and motivation," says Dr. Baumgartner. "A dress code provides a sense of structure and belonging."
At the same time, overly strict or generic uniforms can make employees feel stifled and interchangeable. Starbucks tries to avoid this pitfall by giving baristas a level of freedom within the guidelines.
"Our dress code isn‘t about making everyone look identical," a Starbucks representative told Business Insider. "We want partners to be able to express themselves while also looking professional and approachable for customers."
Comparing Dress Codes
To put the Starbucks dress code into perspective, let‘s take a look at some other well-known retailers and food service brands:
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McDonald‘s: Requires a formal branded uniform in black, white and gray with a hat. No visible tattoos, piercings or unnatural hair colors.
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Chick-fil-A: Expects a neat, professional appearance with a branded polo shirt, black pants and black non-slip shoes. No denim, prints or graphics allowed.
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Dunkin‘ Donuts: Has a color palette of black, white, gray and orange. Visible tattoos and facial piercings are not permitted.
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Target: Allows employees to wear jeans and t-shirts in good condition, as long as they incorporate red and khaki. Skirts must be knee-length or worn with opaque tights.
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Whole Foods: Has a very relaxed dress code with no color or style restrictions outside of food safety guidelines. Many employees wear casual attire like jeans, flannel shirts and graphic tees.
As you can see, Starbucks falls somewhere in the middle of the spectrum – not as formal as McDonald‘s or Chick-fil-A, but more structured than Target or Whole Foods. This aligns with Starbucks‘ positioning as an accessible yet elevated "third place" between work and home.
Partner Perspectives
To get a true sense of how the dress code plays out in real life, we spoke to several current and former Starbucks employees (known internally as "partners"). Here‘s what they had to say:
"I appreciate that Starbucks allows some room for individuality, like being able to have tattoos and dye your hair fun colors. It makes me feel more authentic at work." – Sarah, barista, 3 years
"The dress code has definitely evolved over time. When I first started back in 2010, we couldn‘t even wear jeans or have any facial piercings. Now it‘s a lot more lenient." – Mark, shift supervisor, 12 years
"It can be challenging to build cute outfits with such a limited color palette, especially if you‘re plus-sized. I wish Starbucks would expand the approved colors a bit." – Emily, barista, 1 year
"I love being able to rock a fun hair color or wear a unique tie to add some flair to my look. It‘s a great conversation starter with customers too." – Alex, barista, 5 years
"The ‘no leggings‘ rule is kind of a bummer, since jeans aren‘t always the most comfortable for long shifts. I get why they do it, but I wouldn‘t mind if they relaxed that part of the dress code." – Jenna, shift supervisor, 4 years
Overall, it seems that most partners appreciate the flexibility Starbucks offers while still maintaining clear guidelines. The dress code has gradually loosened up over the years in response to employee feedback and changing social norms around topics like tattoos and hair color.
Controversy and Changes
The Starbucks dress code hasn‘t been without controversy over the years. In 2014, a Louisiana barista named Britney Sluder made headlines when she was fired for dyeing her hair a shade of purple that her manager deemed "unnatural." Sluder‘s case sparked a national conversation about freedom of expression in the workplace.
In response to the backlash, Starbucks amended its policy to allow any permanent or semi-permanent hair color, as long as it doesn‘t pose a food safety risk. However, temporary dyes, glitter, and colored hairspray are still prohibited.
More recently, in 2020, Starbucks came under fire for allegedly not allowing employees to wear accessories or clothing supporting the Black Lives Matter movement. After significant public pressure, the company reversed course and designed an official BLM t-shirt for baristas to wear if they choose.
These incidents demonstrate the ongoing challenge of creating a dress code that balances brand identity, employee self-expression, and social consciousness. As cultural conversations around diversity and inclusion continue to evolve, it‘s likely that Starbucks will need to regularly reassess and update its policies.
A Brew-tiful Balance
In conclusion, the Starbucks dress code is an essential aspect of the brand‘s identity and success. By setting clear guidelines while still allowing some flexibility, Starbucks aims to create an inviting "third place" atmosphere for customers and an engaging workplace for employees.
The core elements of the dress code – the color palette, mix-and-match styling options, and personalized accessories – work together to convey Starbucks‘ values of warmth, connection and attention to detail. At the same time, the policy leaves room for baristas to express their unique personalities and style.
Of course, the dress code is not without its critics or challenges, as evidenced by past controversies around hair color and social justice accessories. As cultural norms and employee needs change over time, Starbucks will need to continue adapting its policies to stay relevant and true to its mission.
For prospective or current baristas, the key to nailing the Starbucks look is to have fun with the guidelines and find creative ways to make them your own. Don‘t be afraid to experiment with different color combinations, accessories and hairstyles until you land on a style that feels authentic to you.
At the end of the day, the most important thing is to wear your Starbucks apron with pride and show up for customers with a smile. The rest is just window dressing.
