Starbucks made headlines last month when the company announced they were "loosening" their rules concerning baristas' hair color and clothing.
According to the new 2016 dress code for US and Canadian employees, unnatural hair colors are now allowed as long as the color is permanent or semi-permanent (for food-safety reasons, temporary dyes or sprays, glitters or chalks are still not permitted).
And while Starbucks' new "hair color acceptance" rule is definitely a major change for the company, their updated clothing rules are hardly revolutionary. We got our hands on a copy of the most recent version of the Starbucks dress code, and while most of the rules make sense for branding/safety reasons, they're just so boring.
To start, all clothes must be in the "subdued" color range.
Prior to the dress-code update, employees were limited to black or white shirts, and khaki or black bottoms.
Jeans are fine, but light-wash denim is a big, fat "no."
Previously, only black jeans were allowed.
Even denim shirts must be in a "consistent" wash.
Why? Because Page 9 said so.
Accessory-clad baristas cannot have more than two earrings per ear.
And speaking of piercings, no body adornments are allowed at all, including tongue studs.
Septum rings aren't permitted, either.
No nail polish or "fake" nails of any kind.
Have hand tattoos? Can't work work at Starbucks.
The company says that there are "no acceptable methods for covering inappropriate hand tattoos, including bandages, makeup, or foodservice gloves." See Page 15, people.
Baristas cannot wear scarves in neon colors... or white?
The most vanilla color is randomly forbidden.
Same goes for ties.
There's no place for you at Starbucks, Mr. White Bow Tie.
Canvas shoes are not considered acceptable footwear (sorry, TOMS).
Mismatched socks are a huge no-no.
But Starbucks, what do you expect your employees to wear on laundry day?
Beanies, fedoras, and “other suitable hats” in brown, gray or black are now allowed, but beanies with an extra poof? Starbucks says no way.
Don't even try showing up to your shift with a logo on your cap.
Fired! Fired! You're both fired!
You wore a bucket hat? That was a mistake.
Page 12 of the dress code says you can't.
UGG boots are not welcome at this workplace.
Neither are Crocs.
But on second thought, that's actually a rule we can get behind.
