Looks like Starbucks baristas are getting a wardrobe crackdown. The coffee giant just announced a stricter dress code kicking in May 12th, ditching the anything-goes vibe for a more uniform look.
LOL Woke Starbucks employees are having meltdowns because the company has a new dress code policy.pic.twitter.com/gdNmr0gQXl
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) April 30, 2025
Employees will now have to stick to solid black shirts and bottoms in khaki, black, or blue denim. No more colorful flair, folks – the company says it wants those green aprons to really pop and create a “consistent and welcoming” atmosphere. They’re even tossing employees two free black t-shirts to ease the pain.
This is quite the flip-flop from 2016 when Starbucks loosened the reins, allowing more colors and even some facial piercings. Now, it’s back to basics, though one small facial piercing (no bigger than a dime) still gets a pass.
Naturally, the union isn’t happy. Starbucks Workers United, repping workers at over 550 stores, is crying foul, claiming the company ignored a tentative agreement they already had on the table. Union delegate Jasmine Leli griped that Starbucks should worry less about fashion police and more about staffing stores properly and giving workers guaranteed hours.
This isn’t the first time Starbucks has waded into wardrobe wars. Remember 2020? They initially banned Black Lives Matter gear, then quickly reversed course after backlash, even designing their own BLM-themed shirts for staff.
Now, the focus is back on a clean, corporate look. Whether this brews up more trouble or just results in more standardized Frappuccinos remains to be seen when the new rules take effect next month.
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