Starbucks Is Incrementing Its Dress Code Among Employees to Enhance the ‘Coffeehouse Experience’

Starbucks recently unveiled a redesign of its uniform, rolled out on May 12, for its stores based in North America. The new redesign is intended to provide a cohesive ambiance as well as align the brand image for an enhanced overall customer experience. Streamlining the uniform is the highlight of the redesign for the signature green apron to be the center of attention. According to the new dress policy, baristas must wear a simple plain black top with jeans, khakis, or plain black pants. Despite the new simplified version, Starbucks is introducing a new shirt brand, though employees will still wear their signature green apron.

The simplifying of the dress code is paired with the goal of standardizing Starbucks employee experience and brand across locations. The green apron, signature of Starbucks barista, is not being eliminated, merely the new uniform standards ensure it remains the focus. By standardizing the uniform items—black shirts and neutral-hued pants—Starbucks is not only hoping not to confuse, but have all employees appearing as though they are expressing the company’s commitment to professionalism without compromising the casual atmosphere customers love.

For the majority of Starbucks employees, the new uniform restores functionality. Previous styles had offered more diversity of hue and texture, including charcoal, gray, and navy, even wool and denim. In contrast, the new uniform is a move back toward simple, clean-cut choices less cumbersome for employees to wear and manage. A simple black shirt paired with neutral pants eliminates the need for constant mixing and matching, freeing employees up to focus on matters of the highest priority: getting drinks made, building relationships with customers.

The new dress code is one of several changes aimed at improving the Starbucks experience. In addition to the new uniforms, the coffee company introduced other customer-facing elements, including the return of handwritten names on drink orders as well as reconsidering self-serve sugar and milk bars. Starbucks is simplifying its menu as well as part of a shift to eliminate so-called "the noise" from its lineup. The changes are part of a bigger shift for Starbucks to streamline operations as well as improve employee and customer experience as part of the company’s transformation.