Starbucks allows pink hair, fedoras under new dress code

NEW YORK -- Pink hair? It's fine under Starbucks' new dress code.

Or purple or green.

“If hair color is your style, it’s welcome,” says Starbucks look book, as long as the coloring is “permanent or semi-permanent, in keeping with food-safety standards.”

Under the new dress code announced Monday, the company is going beyond the classic “black/white tops with khaki pants under a green apron” outfit, embracing some more diversified personal styles. Four new colors added to that combo are charcoal, gray, navy and brown.

“You’re invited to wear a range of subdued shirt colors beyond black and white,” Starbucks says its look book aimed at helping partners understand the new dress code. “Solids are your friend, and so are smaller, tighter, low-contrast patterns.”

And the loosened policy on colors does not confine to just clothes, but includes headwear, “beanies, fedoras and other suitable hats” can also be part of the new look.

A variety of materials are allowed, too, including leather, denim and wool.

For the upper body, these are on the “yes” list: turtlenecks, Knit, short-sleeve shirts and tone-on-tone plaids. Hoodies, T-shirts and low cuts are still no-nos.

And for the bottom, most styles are accepted except for sweatpants, leggings, pants that are too baggy, too light, drag on floor or with holes on it.

Shoe code is a little more strict. Sandals, open toe or heel shoes and more are on the “not to do” list.

As for scarves --- don’t let them cover the apron.

“It feels great that I can express myself,” said Imani Delgado, a barista at the 47th & Broadway store in Manhattan, a site where the new dress code has been adopted since last September. "I don't have to change for work, and I can go out with my friends after work."

Delgado says most of the days she wears blue jeans, flannel and a fedora, as do her co-workers. "It's just more chill," she said. "They [the customers] definitely noticed, and they asked if this was a new thing. They think it's cool."

This is not the first time that Starbucks has updated its codes on appearance. When Delgado first joined the company in 2014, she had to cover her tattoos -- she has three, each behind her ear, neck and wrist. But not long after, she felt free to display them. At that time, the dress code was modified to allow visible tattoos, colored ties, neck scarves and black denim.

"I got my tattoos for a reason, so I definitely want to show it," said Delgado." I mean, it's Starbucks. It's a fun place!"