After years of letting baristas bring their full selves to work — tattoos, flannels, colored hair, and all — Starbucks is reining things back in. Starting May 12, the coffee giant is introducing a new, streamlined look that puts the brand’s most iconic symbol — the green apron — back at center stage. The 2025 Starbucks dress code will require employees to wear solid black tops (collared, button-up, or crewneck) paired with bottoms in black, khaki, or blue denim.

This shift is being framed as a branding move, part of Starbucks’ ongoing effort to create a familiar and consistent vibe in stores across North America. Each employee, known internally as a “partner,” will also receive two company-branded T-shirts at no cost, including options designed by partner networks.

Why The 2025 Starbucks Dress Code Signals More Than Just A Wardrobe Change

At first glance, it might look like a simple update to the dress code. But the new dress code is actually doing a lot of heavy lifting. It’s a visual strategy, a branding decision, and a cultural shift all at once.

“Our partners are the face of our brand,” Starbucks said in its official statement. This new look is meant to create “a more consistent coffeehouse experience” across all locations. That means you’ll be greeted by the same sharp, streamlined aesthetic no matter where you are — whether it’s Seattle, WA, or Savannah, GA. That aesthetic centers on the green apron, which has been a core part of Starbucks’ identity since 1987.

A Step Away From Self-Expression

If this all sounds familiar, it’s a sharp pivot from the 2016 update that encouraged more individuality. The company then widened the style palette to include colors like navy, charcoal, brown, and gray. According to a USA Today report, partners could wear tight patterns, beanies, fedoras, leather, tone-on-tone plaids, and even rock bold hair colors if they were permanent or semi-permanent and met food safety standards.

And people loved it.

“I don’t have to change for work, and I can go out with my friends after work,” said Imani Delgado, a barista at the 47th & Broadway store in Manhattan, NY. When her store piloted it, she was one of the first to try out the more relaxed look. “It feels great that I can express myself,” she told USA Today. “They [the customers] definitely noticed, and they asked if this was a new thing. They think it’s cool.”

But in 2025, the vibe is changing.

What’s New In The 2025 Starbucks Dress Code?

Let’s break it down. Here’s what’s in — and what’s officially out — under the 2025 Starbucks dress code:

  • Tops must be solid black. Crewnecks, button-ups, or collared short — or long — sleeved shirts are all acceptable.
  • Bottoms must be black, khaki, or blue denim. No leggings (unless under skirts or dresses), sweatpants, distressed, or overly baggy options.
  • Shoes must be closed-toe and closed-heel — sandals and open footwear remain off-limits.
  • Hair color is still permitted, but only if it’s permanent, semi-permanent, and food-safe.
  • Accessories such as beanies and hats are allowed, but scarves and other accessories can’t cover the green apron.

The Strategy Behind The Shift

While some might see the Starbucks dress code as a restriction, the company sees it as alignment. The idea isn’t to suppress individuality but to simplify expectations and re-center the company’s brand visuals. The green apron isn’t just part of the uniform; it’s the symbol of the Starbucks experience, and this update is meant to ensure it doesn’t get lost in the mix.

It’s also a way to cut down on the gray area (no pun intended) around what’s “allowed” and what’s not. A tighter color palette means fewer dress code conversations and more focus on what matters — crafting your drink just how you like it.

Is Consistency The New Cool?

For a brand built on creating third spaces — welcoming environments that sit somewhere between home and work — appearance matters. With the Starbucks dress code, the company is making a clear statement: We want every store to feel familiar, every barista to feel confident, and every customer to feel connected.

Whether you’re all for the polished look or missing the freedom of Flannel Fridays, one thing’s certain — Starbucks is putting its green apron back in the spotlight. And for a brand that’s always bet big on symbolism, this feels right on brand.