Ever since its founding in 1971, Starbucks has been known for its warm, inviting atmosphere. And why shouldn’t it be? After all, it is one of the most successful companies in history. A character from Moby Dick inspired its name, and its logo is a full-bodied mermaid with two flowing tails.
As notable as Starbucks is for its service and friendly environment, if you plan to work at an outlet, there are some things to know beforehand. One prominent on that list is the dress code and what is acceptable or not. And one question you should have an answer to before going ahead is; can you wear leggings at Starbucks?
No, you can’t wear leggings at Starbucks, at least as an employee and according to their dress code policy. However, in rare situations, you may be able to wear leggings at Starbucks, but only if a manager has given you the okay.
Workers have often reported that their manager allowed leggings, which means there is a workaround to the rules. In the end, a personal interpretation of moderate dressing comes to play.
Starbucks Dress Code
“Business Casual,” Starbucks’ dress code, is listed as a guideline for how employees should dress when on the clock. The vagueness of “Business Casual” lends itself to personal interpretation, and rationally so. But that’s not going to stop you or anyone from insisting the leggings attire isn’t “business casual.”
Generally, this policy allows for wearing a wide range of outfits at Starbucks. There aren’t many restrictions or regulations, except for one: no leggings.
You can show up in cargo shorts without issue; you’ll be good to go in sandals like the ones your grandma gets special pedicures for; nothing will happen if you decide to go without a belt on your jeans.
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Should You Wear Leggings if You Are Working at Starbucks?
This might seem like a simple question, but the answer is pretty confusing.
Employees of Starbucks are not encouraged to wear leggings since they have access to areas with potentially dangerous equipment. Such equipment could snag loose clothing items and cause injury if someone were distracted while working around such hazards.
Additionally, some styles of leggings may be considered inappropriate attire for work; however, these regulations vary by location, so always check with your manager before wearing anything new. Many shops offer uniform discounts for employees who purchase approved attire out-of-pocket without reimbursement from management.
In the end, if you have concerns about wearing clothing such as tight dresses and leggings, please consult HR before doing so. They’ll let us know what you need to do your job.
Reasons You Can’t Wear Leggings at Starbucks
By looking at the way they fit, you can probably guess why. The typical legging fits snugly to the leg and is usually made of a stretchy material that clings to your limbs more than it drapes over them. That’s because leggings are essentially a variant on tights, like what ballerinas wear but with thicker material, so they’re not as sheer.
In this way, leggings offer similar comfort and flexibility as wearing nothing at all. You may think that sounds like an exaggeration, but anyone who’s worn a pair of leggings for any length of time will tell you: that there is no article of clothing so close-fitting that it can match their downright dreaminess. Below are a few reasons leggings are exempted from Starbucks:
1. Starbucks employees have a uniform
Employees at Starbucks have a uniform. All employees, including the CEO and store managers, must wear an apron. Some locations have supervisors wearing black aprons over their green ones. Baristas wear green aprons and black pants. The only exception is that some managers can get away with wearing khaki pants if they want to.
Employees are not allowed to wear leggings as part of the uniform. Additionally, jeans are not allowed for baristas in stores, except on certain Fridays or when there’s inclement weather like rain or snow outside. To be identifiable as an employee to customers, baristas must always wear their green aprons, which contain the Starbucks logo.
Baristas can also opt-out of wearing their company-issued shirts by wearing shirts that match their corporate color scheme. Black, white, and gray or green tops paired with dark jeans will suffice just fine as long as they look professional.
2. Starbucks employees are encouraged to wear black pants
The dress code at Starbucks encourages employees to wear black pants. Although they don’t specify what material the pants should be made of, they let you know that your pants must be form-fitting but not too tight. You can’t wear denim or anything see-through either, including yoga leggings.
That said, for a job that involves pouring steaming hot liquids daily, it’s probably best that employees wear tight-fitting clothes to avoid any accidents.
3. Other rules
Apart from the significant restriction, some other restrictions dampen your free reign to wear whatever you want:
- Don’t wear anything that exposes your midriff or underwear.
- Don’t wear clothing with holes or tears in it.
ALSO READ: Can I Wear Leggings As A Cashier?
How to Style My Leggings to Make It Appropriate For Starbucks
Starbucks changed its dress code in 2016, allowing employees to wear “shirts of any solid color” and “pants or capris in black, gray or khaki.” The confusion around Starbucks’ dress code is understandable. In 2015, the baristas at one coffee shop were told not to wear fedoras. Some people are confused about whether they can wear hats at Starbucks.
Over the years, many employees have found ways to wear leggings at Starbucks. This is because the dress code has gaps that allow for such.
However, just because you can wear leggings to Starbucks doesn’t mean you should. There are ways to style your leggings so that it is appropriate for Starbucks, and I want to talk about how to do that properly today:
1. Style Leggings with Shirts
A t-shirt is always a good choice. While the basic white tee may be a bit too understated when paired with leggings, it’s possible to make this look work if you pair the shirt and leggings with a statement necklace or some other eye-catching accessory.
Long-sleeved shirts also look great with leggings. Try pairing your leggings with a long-sleeved Henley or plaid button-down if you’re aiming for that casual ‘jeans and tee’ vibe. If you want to dress up your look, wear a dress shirt under a blazer. This will help keep things professional without sacrificing comfort.
2. Style Leggings with Gowns
There are numerous ways to style leggings with gowns, but here are a few of our favorites:
- Pair your leggings with a wide-leg silk gown. This is a stunning look if you have a satin or velvet gown. It also works well for fancier events and parties that don’t necessarily call for black tie attire.
- Combine your leggings with a fitted blazer, but make sure the blazer doesn’t go down to your mid-thigh. You want about two inches of leg showing between the bottom of the jacket and the top of the booties or other shoes you’re wearing to feel balanced and intentional in terms of proportion.
- Layer a casual sweater over your leggings, then finish by accessorizing with bold earrings, statement necklaces, or bracelets. The key to making this outfit work is not going overboard with accessories. Choose one to three items that have the power to catch someone’s eye without distracting them from what else you’re wearing.
If you wear leggings as pants at Starbucks, you need to make sure that they are long enough that they meet the back of your heels in length.
The second thing is that if your leggings are going to be tight, they need to have a long top or sweater covering them somehow. Otherwise, it will look very inappropriate for the setting where you will be wearing them.
ALSO READ: Can I Wear Black Leggings To An Interview?
Can Customers Wear Leggings To Starbucks?
Fortunately, Starbucks does not specify a dress code for customers. Lucky for you, you’ll be fine as long as you wear clothes and don’t run around the store naked.
Starbucks’ dress code for customers is a bit more relaxed. Customers can wear whatever they want as long as they aren’t “barefoot, shirtless or in pajamas” (or nude). The customer dress code isn’t posted anywhere, so it’s not something that you’ll need to worry about as a customer. After all, Starbucks wants you to be comfortable at its coffee shop.
While there are no restrictions on what customers can wear to Starbucks, the same isn’t valid for employees. Starbucks bans visible tattoos in its employee dress code, except those on the face. Also, baristas have to wear jeans or pants with a green or navy blue shirt.
Starbucks notes that it maintains these standards “in order to preserve our relaxed atmosphere and ensure that we have an environment which is focused on providing the best possible experience for our customers.”
Conclusion
So, can you wear leggings at Starbucks? Well, yes and no. Starbucks’ dress code allows a manager who feels your outfit is uncomfortable or inappropriate for other baristas or customers to see and can ask you to leave. They want everyone who comes into contact with you, either co-workers or customers, to feel comfortable. In the end, it’s best to obey the rules instead of trying to bend them.
