Does Starbucks Have A Dress Code? (Hats, Pants, Colored Hair, Tattoos, Apron + More)

Starbucks, the Seattle-based coffee conglomerate, can be a great way to pay the bills and gain work experience, but does your style fit the company’s ethos? Does Starbucks have a dress code to adhere to? 

If these are questions you’d like the answer to, Keep reading!

Does Starbucks Have A Dress Code In [currentyear]?

Starbucks maintains a strict dress code that it expects employees to follow, though the parameters of the code are quite relaxed as of [currentyear]. Employees are encouraged to let their individuality shine with different hair colors and can choose from a palette of hues regarding pants and shirts. Starbucks also provides its signature aprons upon hire.

To learn more about Starbucks’ dress code and how strict it is, as well as some of the specific parameters of the code, keep reading!

What Is Starbucks Dress Code?

According to this corporate PDF from 2019, Starbucks’ dress code can be broken down into these categories:

  • Overall personal appearance
  • Apron
  • Overall color palette
  • Hair
  • Tops
  • Bottoms
  • Footwear
  • Hats
  • Accents
  • Finishing touches, i.e., nails, jewelry, tattoos, pins, personal hygiene

Let’s look at each category individually!

Overall Personal Appearance

Like most companies, Starbucks considers its baristas to be the face of the business, so employees are expected to maintain a tidy and professional overall appearance.

Additionally, this means clothing that is in good condition or in good repair that fits well (not baggy and hanging off the body or, conversely, too tight and revealing).

Ideally, it should look as if you spent some time getting ready for work (even if you didn’t).

Apron

Upon hire, Starbucks will provide you with two or more aprons.

These are important because Starbucks doesn’t make its employees wear branded uniforms.

Instead, employees stick to a branded color palette, while the apron, with the Starbucks logo front and center, pulls the whole look together and creates uniformity.

However, aprons must be worn at full-length and kept in good condition. They also get returned if/when you leave the company.

Color Palette

Starbucks is unique in that polyester uniforms aren’t worn; employees have a lot of freedom in what they wear.

However, they must remain on-brand while clocked in, though, and stick to the following colors:

  • Black
  • Charcoal
  • Gray
  • Navy
  • Brown
  • Khaki
  • White

Allowable fabrics in these colors include:

  • Cotton
  • Polyester
  • Leather
  • Canvas
  • Denim
  • Selvage denim
  • Wool
  • Straw

Hair

Starbucks embraces employees with all different types of hair textures and colors, including facial hair.

As long as the color is permanent or semipermanent (nothing that could fall, flake, or dust off into customers’ food), hair color can be as wild as you like.

However, longer hair will have to be kept back with a clip or hairband to avoid it getting into customers’ food/beverages, and so it doesn’t pose a safety hazard (if it got caught on something).

Tops

Starbucks encourages its employees to stick mainly with solid color shirts, but smaller and low-contrast patterns are acceptable.

Moreover, low contrast means plaid that is made up of gray and black, versus a more vibrant orange and blue.

Additionally, Starbucks doesn’t allow hoodies or t-shirts to be worn.

Instead, Starbucks embraces more professional styles, like button-downs, blouses, and other business casual tops.

Bottoms

Bottoms Starbucks

Rejoice – you can wear jeans to work at Starbucks!

Additionally, khakis, skirts, and dresses with tights, and chinos are also acceptable, provided they follow the color palette.

However, ripped or baggy jeans, leggings, athleisure, and sweatpants should be avoided.

Shoes

Comfortable business casual shoes and boots, sneakers and fashion sneakers, and other closed-toe shoes are best for working at Starbucks.

However, heels, canvas slip-ons, open-toed shoes, sandals, and Ugg-type boots are not allowed.

Hats

Luckily, you can top off your Starbucks work outfit with a hat!

Furthermore, you can also wear a beanie or cabbie-style hat – or even a fedora, provided the color is right.

Accents

Additionally, employees can also wear close-fitting, non-billowy scarves – as well as muted ties and bow-ties.

Finishing Touches

There are a lot of things covered under finishing touches, but some major points include:

  • No nail polish, as nail polish and artificial nails are a health hazard
  • Tattoos are permitted, but they cannot be considered obscene
  • No hand jewelry is allowed, but earrings and nostril piercings are acceptable
  • Good personal hygiene is stressed, but excessive perfume or cologne is discouraged

For the full descriptions of the finishing touches, check out the last page of this article.

How Strict Is Starbucks Dress Code?

While it may vary from store to store, on the whole Starbucks expects its employees to abide by the dress code, given how generous the company is about expressing individuality.

Additionally, the company stresses that if you are unsure or have a question about whether or not something meets the dress code, just ask your manager.

Does Starbucks Provide Aprons?

Starbucks does provide at least two aprons to new hires, free of charge.

Moreover, you are expected to maintain your apron in good condition (including washing it regularly); of course, normal wear and tear are to be expected.

However, aprons must be returned upon departure from the company.

Can You Wear Your Hair Down At Starbucks?

If you have shorter hair you can wear it down while working at Starbucks, but the company policy indicates longer hair should be tied back.

Furthermore, this is not only for sanitary reasons but for safety ones, as hair that flows can get stuck or caught on things.

Does Starbucks Let You Have Colored Hair?

Starbucks does let you have colored hair, and it doesn’t even have to abide by its normal color palette!

Provided the dye is permanent or semi-permanent, brightly colored hair is a go at Starbucks.

Moreover, spray-on colors or glittery-type products, that can dust or fall off into people’s food and drink are not allowed.

Can You Wear Leggings At Starbucks?

Unfortunately, leggings, while among the most comfortable articles of clothing, are not permissible as part of Starbucks’ dress code, except under a dress or skirt.

If the thought of jeans makes you balk, consider something like elastic waist-band chinos or khakis for a more comfortable alternative.

Does Starbucks Let You Wear Jeans?

You absolutely can wear jeans at Starbucks, provided they meet the color criteria (navy, black, or gray).

However, white jeans (and indeed, any white bottom) is not allowed, nor are overly baggy or low-riding jeans, as well as ripped or too-long/dragging fits.

To know more, you can also read our posts on how to quit Starbucks, does Starbucks drug test, and working at Starbucks.

Conclusion

While Starbucks expects its employees to adhere closely to dress code parameters, the company is unique in that those parameters are quite relaxed.

Therefore, employees can express their individuality by wearing jeans, dyeing their hair vibrant colors, and even top off their looks with a hat or a pretty scarf if they want. Additionally, all of this is allowed as long as they follow the Starbucks ’ color palette.

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Marques Thomas

Marques Thomas graduated with a MBA in 2011. Since then, Marques has worked in the retail and consumer service industry as a manager, advisor, and marketer. Marques is also the head writer and founder of QuerySprout.com.

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