(KTLA) – Local Starbucks baristas may soon sport a new, more consistent look after announcing this week’s dress code update.
The changes, announced Monday, are part of CEO Brian Nicole’s efforts to overhaul images of the coffee chain with “simplified color options that can sparkle the iconic green apron.” Company website.
“A more defined color palette includes solid black short and long sleeve crew necks, collared or button-up shirts, khaki, black and blue denim bottom shades, according to the site.”
Baristas are now allowed to wear top and bottom colors under the apron, a Starbucks spokesman told Nexstar.
Starbucks also offers baristas free T-shirts from two company brands.
However, some workers protested the move. Starbucks Workers United, a labor group that organizes more than 550 workers in Starbucks’ 10,000 company-owned U.S. store, told the company it had negotiated a temporary attire code agreement during a session with the company last week. The union said it would oppose changes to dress codes until negotiations are over and a labor agreement is reached.
Jasmine Lelli, the starbucks barista and union negotiation representative, said the company should focus on things that improve store operations, such as providing appropriate staffing and guaranteed hours to workers.
“Instead of addressing the most pressing issues that baristas have been raised over the years, Starbucks prioritizes a restrictive dress code that does not improve the company’s operations,” Leli said in a statement provided by the union. “They are making baristas pay for new clothes when they struggle without Starbucks wages or guaranteed times.”
The new guidance marks nearly a decade when Starbucks was able to loosen its dress code and increase opportunities for employees to express themselves. In 2016, the company expanded the colors of shirts that employees can wear, adding grey, navy, dark denim and brown to the black or white guidance. We also allowed patterned shirts in those colors.
In 2019, the company again tweaked the dress code and allowed one face piercing, unless it was as big as a dime. The new dress code still allows for one facial earring.
The new dress code will come into effect on May 12th.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
