Thinking of applying for a job as a barista and wondering what the current Starbucks dress code is? Or maybe you’re wondering what to wear to your job interview. Or maybe you’re curious about their stance on tattoos, piercings, and hairstyles. Starbucks employees do have to follow a specific dress code; however, that code is relatively flexible in terms of allowing employees to wear professional, yet comfortable attire. I talked to my friend, who’s been a Starbucks barista for a couple years, and got a bunch of insider tips you WILL NOT read on their corporate website or be told during your interview.

Does Starbucks Have a Specific Dress Code?

Yes.

Starbucks does indeed have a specific dress code.

While Starbucks does have a dress code, the dress code is rather casual and flexible.

Employees are required to wear the company’s green apron and clothing pieces that match the apron’s green coloring.

This includes wearing colors like black, gray, navy, brown, and white.

However, employees aren’t allowed to wear clothing that clashes with the apron (i.e. bright pink, orange, etc.).

See Also: 8 Starbucks Employee Benefits You Should Know Before You Apply

What Should I Wear to My Starbucks Interview?

While there is no “exact outfit” you should to wear to a Starbucks interview, it’s recommended you dress business casual.

This means a nice button-down shirt or blouse, with slacks or khakis, and nice dress shoes or VERY clean sneakers.

Too underdressed (wearing sweatpants) may seem like you don’t care about the interview.

Meanwhile, being overdressed (i.e.. dress and heels or a suit and tie) is too formal and completely unnecessary.

Any Colors I Can’t Wear?

Yes.

While Starbucks states that all colored tops/shirts are permitted, to play it safe when you first get hired, you should avoid any colors that clash with the company’s green apron.

My friend said to definitely stay away from colors such as bright pink, purple, yellow, etc.

Specifically, when it comes to your pants and footwear they NEED to be black, gray, navy, brown, khaki, or white.

PRO TIP

My friend highly recommended to NOT wear white pants or jeans as they’ll never be white again after your first shift.

Any Specific Materials I Can’t Wear?

Not necessarily.

As long as the materials look professional and don’t interfere with employees’ work, there doesn’t seem to be any specific material off limits.

So, employees can wear leather, wool, and denim materials as long as they are professional.

For instance, an employee cannot wear a denim mini skirt to work or baggy jeans that are too revealing.

However, an employee can wear denim jeans that are properly sized, don’t have holes, etc.

See Also: The Starbucks Menu Hacks That’ll Save You BIG

Any Clothing Items That Aren’t Allowed?

Yes.

While Starbucks does give its employees flexibility to dress casually and comfortably, this doesn’t mean employees can wear whatever they want.

Starbucks tries to ensure employees are comfortable, while still wearing professional attire that doesn’t pose any safety risks.

Here is a list of clothing items that aren’t allowed to be worn by Starbucks employees:

• Sweatpants
• Hoodies
• Yoga pants
• Open-toed shoes
• Heels
• Baseball hats (unless it’s plain with NO logos on it)

Meanwhile, here’s a list of clothing items that are acceptable to wear as a Starbucks employee.

• Blouses
• Collared shirts
• Turtlenecks
• Jeans (no holes, wide leg is fine though)
• Khaki Pants
• Sneakers
• Skirts (past knee length)

See Also: 9 Clever Ways to Hack the Rewards Program at Starbucks

So a Hoodie is a Hard “No”?

Depends.

According to my friend you are not allowed to wear a hoodie.

But…she said that if you’re working the drive-thru window, and it’s the middle of winter, her manager ALLOWS employees to wear a hoodie or a winter jacket with a hood.

Can I Wear Yoga Pants?

No.

You cannot wear yoga pants as a Starbucks employee.

Yoga pants are just one of the many clothing items employees cannot wear for appearance and safety concerns.

Not sure what the safety issue is, anybody know?

Can I Wear Certain Hats on My Shift?

Yes.

You CAN wear headwear that includes a beanie, visor, short-brimmed hat, plain baseball cap, and satin-lined cap.

You’re also permitted to wear head coverings such as a turban, hijab, headwrap as well as a plain or knotted headbands.

What About Jewelry?

Yes, employees are allowed to wear jewelry and multiple ear rings at Starbucks.

As long as the jewelry doesn’t interfere with their work it’s fine.

This seems to include ear gauges as I’ve seen many Starbucks employees with them.

Are Facial Piercings and Tattoos Allowed?

Yes.

Starbucks does allow their employees to have piercings and tattoos as long as it DOESN’T interfere with their work and is not offensive.

When it comes to facial piercings, the Starbucks corporate policy is to only allow ONE facial piercing.

MILEAGE MAY VARY

My friend added that her manager does NOT enforce the “One Piercing” policy as she has a couple co-workers with multiple facial piercings and it hasn’t been an issue.

Can I Wear Jeans With Holes or Rips?

No.

Starbucks employees are not allowed to wear jeans with holes or rips in them.

This is because while Starbucks supports employees feeling casual and comfortable, they also want to maintain a professional atmosphere.

Any Hairstyles That Are Not Permitted?

No.

There doesn’t appear to be any hairstyles that are deemed off-limits at Starbucks

As long as the employee maintains a sense of professionalism and is hygienic with their hairstyle.

I’ve never seen a Starbucks employee with a mohawk, but I have seen many with very colorful hair.

With that said, it must be a permanent (or semi-permanent) hair color.

You cannot have temporary dyes that might run as that could create a health issue.

You also cannot have glitter in your hair or sprays that could flake off.

Ask the Reader: Do you work at Starbucks? If so, do you think their current dress code is too strict or about right?

By Kyle James

Due to the rise of inflation, Dollar Tree has needed to increase its prices to sustain the ever-rising costs of inventory. Once notoriously being a store where you can find products for just $1 or less, now customers will find that all Dollar Tree’s merchandise is $1.25. This 25% increase in prices, though shocking as Dollar Tree has held its dollar prices for decades, shouldn’t come as a big surprise. Here’s exactly when Dollar Tree raised their prices, and whether the price increase has effected the value they provide.

When Did Dollar Tree Raise Prices to $1.25?

Late 2021.

Dollar Tree raised its prices to $1.25 in December of 2021, making it a permanent raise for a store that’s notorious for offering products for a dollar or less.

Why Did They Raise Prices?

Inflation.

Rampant inflation has unfortunately caused the permanent 25% hike in Dollar Tree’s once $1 or less merchandise.

While this rise in prices is shocking, it is to be expected as Dollar Tree fights to give discounted goods to customers while still making a profit.

See Also: The 14 Cheapest Grocery Stores Near You That Will Help You Save

Are Some Items Still Only $1?

No.

While Dollar Tree had varying prices (from $1 to $1.50) in late 2021 when it started making price changes, it appears now that all merchandise at Dollar Tree is priced at $1.25.

Therefore, get used to seeing all Dollar Tree items at or over $1.25 for good.

Can I Still Use Manufacturer Coupons at Dollar Tree?

Yes.

You can still use manufacturer coupons (internet coupons) at Dollar Tree.

When using manufacturer coupons, be aware of the following policies:

– You can only use two manufacturer coupons per day.

– Coupons must be used before their expiration date.

– You cannot use internet coupons on “free” items.

– You cannot duplicate or photocopy manufacturer coupons.

Coupons can be a great way to offset the rising Dollar Tree price hike.

See Also: Dollar General Return Policy: Here’s Exactly How It Works

Where Can I Find Dollar Tree Coupons?

Surprisingly, the two best spots to find online Dollar Tree coupons is NOT at a conventional coupon website.

Instead, check out these two online resources:

L.A. Times – Who knew the L.A. Times website listed coupons?  They actually have an excellent list of updated Dollar Tree coupons and was the only resource I found that listed a flat 10% off coupon code.

Wired – The folks at Wired also have a nice list of Dollar Tree category deals and coupons that they update regularly. Give it a look before your next Dollar Tree haul.

Also, on a side-note, my daughter turned me onto the CraftyGirl YouTube channel.

While not coupon-related, she has some pretty entertaining videos showing her Dollar Tree hauls.

Her videos will give you some great gift ideas (especially using Dollar Tree seasonal items) and clever tips to maximize your shopping trips.

See Also: Here’s EXACTLY How the Dollar Tree Return Policy Works

Is It Still Worth Shopping at Dollar Tree?

Yes.

Overall even though Dollar Tree has seen a 25% increase in their prices to now $1.25 on most of their items, that doesn’t mean Dollar Tree isn’t still a great place to find some unbelievable deals.

Inevitably, many discount value stores like Dollar General and Family Dollar, while they have “dollar” in their name, offer an assortment of items over a buck.

That being said, the quantity and quality of the products can influence the price.

Therefore, before discounting Dollar Tree due to its recent price hike, understand that Dollar Tree, relative to other discount retailers, still provides great deals, even if they are over $1.

Did Inventory Change When the Price Went Up?

Inventory is always changing at Dollar Tree.

With the unpredictability of Dollar Tree’s inventory, it makes it difficult to gauge whether rising prices equate to better items/ larger quantities of products.

However, this doesn’t seem to be the case.

Dollar Tree’s primary uptick in prices is primarily due to inflation, so don’t expect to get “more”/ a better quality item now that you’re paying 25 cents more.

See Also: 20 Smart Tips For Saving Money at The Dollar Tree

What is Dollar Tree Plus? Do They Offer Products at Just $1.25?

Dollar Tree Plus is similar to the regular Dollar Tree in providing heavily discounted items; however, items are priced anywhere between $3 and $5.

While this is significantly higher than the dollar range, items sold at Dollar Tree Plus tend to be higher ticket items like beauty products, electronics, and more.

Ask the Reader: Was the price increase at Dollar Tree enough to change how you shop at the “dollar store”?

By Kyle James

Apple Pay has become more and more popular over the years. With the ability to pay straight from your smartphone, and in some cases receive rewards for using Apple Pay, this convenient payment method has many perks. That’s why most stores provide the ability for customers to use Apple Pay at checkout. Yet not all stores accept Apple Pay– Kroger being one of them. Instead, Kroger has developed their own payment app called “Kroger Pay” that tries to do many of the same things as Apple Pay. Here’s exactly how it works.

So…Does Kroger Accept Apple Pay?

No.

Kroger does not accept Apple Pay in-store or online. They also don’t accept Google Pay.

However, Kroger does have Kroger Pay which is similar to Apple Pay in that it’s a contact-free checkout option, just via the Kroger app.

Why the Heck Don’t They?

Kroger doesn’t accept Apple Pay because they use their proprietary contactless payment option known as the Kroger Pay.

Kroger Pay allows a safe and contact-free way for customers to pay (via the Kroger app) and save money on special reward offers.

Kroger Pay also allows them to closely monitor and track your spending habits and the items you tend to consistently purchase.

They then use this information to push offers and promotions to you via the app as well as through email.-

See Also: 11 Simple Hacks to Save BIG at Kroger

Is the Kroger Pay App a Good Alternative?

Yes and no.

The Kroger Pay app is a handy option as it lets you link your Kroger Rewards card and your credit card which makes the checkout process seamless.

Unfortunately, Kroger Pay is limited and can only be used at Kroger stores.

Meanwhile, many stores today accept Apple Pay, making Apple Pay a more versatile contactless payment option.

That being said, since Kroger doesn’t accept Apple Pay, using Kroger Pay is still a good alternative compared to not using it at all.

This is because with Kroger Pay you can earn additional rewards such as cashback or fuel points.

Any Side Benefits or Rewards for Using the Kroger Pay App?

Yes.

If you use your Kroger Pay app you’ll accrue loyalty points.

You can also receive additional points when you use Kroger Pay via your Kroger Rewards debit or credit card.

You can also receive fuel points that can be earned by using Kroger Pay.

You earn 1.5 fuel points for each $1 eligible purchase that can then be used towards deducting from your gas total at the pump.

How Long Does It Take to Access Kroger Pay?

About 16 seconds.

According to this Reddit thread, it takes the average smartphone user about 16 seconds to access Kroger Pay via an unlocked iPhone.

This 16 seconds assumes that the Kroger Pay app has not be opened recently.

By contrast, it takes the average user about 6 seconds to pay with Apple Pay or Google Pay.

What Other Payment Methods Does Kroger Accept?

Despite Kroger not accepting Apple Pay, there are plenty of other payment methods that Kroger does accept, including:

Debit cards, credit cards, cash, Kroger Pay, WIC, SNAP/EBT, Afterpay, and more.

Can I Use Apple Pay at Kroger Gas Stations?

No.

You cannot use Apple Pay at Kroger gas stations either; however, you can use Kroger Pay at Kroger gas stations.

You can also use other payment methods mentioned above like your debit or credit card.

Can I Use Contactless Pay with My Smartphone at Kroger?

Yes.

Kroger Pay is a contact-free checkout option that allows customers to quickly use their smartphone to check out at Kroger.

To use Kroger Pay on your smartphone, follow these simple steps:

1. Download the Kroger app on your smartphone and set up a digital account.

2. Access Kroger Pay (i.e. Kroger Pay “Quicklink” on the top left of the Kroger app home screen, Kroger Pay button in your wallet, etc.)

3. Login in using your 4 digit pin number (any payment cards saved to your digital wallet are available to use within Kroger Pay)

4. Use the QR code on your smartphone to scan for checkout.

5. Before your payment goes through, you’ll have a chance to review your order.

The Kroger Pay’s QR code feature on the Kroger app makes it an easy, contactless way to checkout.

In order to download and use the Kroger app on your device, you need to have a smartphone that is compatible such as an Apple or Android device.

Ask the Reader: Do you use Kroger Pay when buying groceries? Does it work pretty good or do you wish Kroger would accept Apple Pay?

By Kyle James

Photo credit to mcsquishee.