Internet Mocks Gen Z Whining About Starbucks’ New ‘Conservative’ Dress Code

Starbucks has ignited a firestorm among its Gen Z workforce after unveiling a revamped dress code aimed at standardizing employee appearance, the New York Post reported.

In a video circulating on X, unionized Starbucks workers in Seattle are seen confronting management over the updated policy, which limits what employees can wear behind the counter. One barista, clad in a bandana and party hat, declared, “I don’t understand how [the dress code] is in good faith of letting us express ourselves.” Another chimed in, “We’re just expected to lay down and accept it,” as the group erupted into applause.

They’re told to dress like normal people and this is how they react.

“I don’t understand how it is in good faith of letting us express ourselves.”

“solid black short and long-sleeved crew neck, collared, or button-up shirts and any shade of khaki, black or blue denim bottoms.” https://t.co/DYHDh9Jpdv

— Trump Clock (@TrumpClock2024) May 2, 2025

If I’m the ceo of @Starbucks I’m putting everyone in a uniform with zero flair — we just want great coffee, served briskly. Get back to work folks.

Enough bullshit, work faster pic.twitter.com/aNyiRNRz1u

— @jason (@Jason) May 1, 2025

The protest comes in response to the company’s announcement that beginning May 12 all employees must adhere to a more uniform look—specifically, solid black tops (crew necks, button-up or collared shirts) and khaki, black, or blue denim bottoms. Starbucks said the goal is to “allow our iconic green apron to shine” and foster a more consistent customer experience.

Critics online were quick to mock the backlash. “No one is paying these people to ‘express themselves,’” one user posted. “Get back to basics and serve the customers,” another added.

No one is paying these people to “express themselves.”

No one is automatically entitled to people paying them to “express themselves.”

Our education system has deeply failed our country for 3 decades now – largely on a cultural basis.

This anti-meritocratic / entitled /…

— The Big Picture (@Big_Picture_89) May 1, 2025

So, Starbucks is trying to clean up the look and brand. Sales are down some 14+% In any business, ANY BUSINESS, you have to make changes to stay profitable.

You simply can’t keep doing the same thing over and over again.

I’ve attached the new dress code below. It’s NOT bad… https://t.co/XhQKyrnOOu pic.twitter.com/DCa73FxZ8J

— 💰🔥Digital Asset Dude🔥 XRP BULLRUN 2025 🔥💰 (@Ripple_X) April 30, 2025

“Somebody has a problem with washing their clothes,” one podcaster said. “That’s what that sounds like to me.”

“They lost me with the free water,” another said. “They said ‘no free water.’”

“Is this a Venti problem or a Tall problem?” a CBS newscaster asked.

Starbucks Workers United, the union that has organized over 570 of Starbucks’ 10,000 corporate-owned stores, took to Instagram to blast the changes as “regressive” and discriminatory, especially toward LGBTQ+ employees who, they claim, rely on clothing for gender expression. The group also raised concerns over the financial burden of buying new clothes to meet the stricter guidelines.

“It’s a problem trying to fix an unrelated problem,” the union said, adding that the company should focus on “hour cuts, understaffing and turnover.”

While Starbucks has pledged to provide employees with two branded T-shirts free of charge, that gesture appears to have done little to quell the uproar among its most vocal employees.