Starbucks is putting its dress code through the filter for a more consistent look across its brick-and-mortar stores.
The coffeehouse announced that it would refresh its employee dress code in an April 14 press release that underscored a renewed effort to highlight its iconic green apron. The updated policy, which goes into effect on May 12, will now require its partners, as Starbucks refers to its employees, to aim for what it describes as a more "defined color palette."
The updated dress code requires employees to wear solid black tops that are short, or long-sleeved and are in crewneck, collared or button-down styles. Employees are allowed to wear bottoms that are any shade of khaki, black, or blue denim.
In addition, the company will roll out a new line of company-branded t-shirts for partners who will receive a complimentary pair.
“Our partners are the face of our brand, and our iconic green apron has always been a special part of what makes us unique,” the company said in a press release. “Since 1987, the green apron has been the symbol for Starbucks Coffee Company, representing the hundreds of thousands of retail partners in North America who connect with customers every day.”
Starbucks says the change will bring simpler and clearer dress code guidance to its partners, allowing them to focus on producing beverages and maintaining customer experience.
More of Starbucks' recent changes
The company's update follows a broader push to improve its store experience and fortify its brand identity.
In January 2025, the company announced it would end its "open-door policy." Now, it requires customers to make a purchase to use its restroom and seating areas. That month, it also reinstated its free refill policy and brought back its condiment bar, which customers noticed disappeared during the height of the pandemic.
One month later, in February, Starbucks implemented limits on mobile app orders to manage store capacity and reduce wait times.
