The dress code at Target is uniform for retail and warehouse employees and business casual for management and corporate positions.
Target uniform policy is a red top and khaki slacks or skirts. Workers can put on any red shirt they like (sweater, hoodie, polo), while some shops even let them wear jeans. Some stores also provide employees with red company shirts with logos and seasonal promotions.
The company promotes workers to be more creative and original. They typically allow, for example, visible tattoos, facial piercings, and unnatural hair colors.
Shoes for Working at Target
When it comes to the shoes part of your wardrobe, you have a lot of leeway – unless your job requires steel-toe shoes. If you’re in the loading and warehouse side of the business, you’re probably going to need or want steel-toed shoes to protect your feet.
Those people working in retail and dealing with customers have a few restrictions on what they can wear on their feet. No flip-flops and no open-toed shoes are allowed, and Target wants its employees to avoid wearing worn-out shoes.
Other than that, you can pretty much wear whatever you want, but you’re probably going to be on your feet a lot, so comfortable shoes are a good idea.
What Not to Wear At Target
Coming straight from the employee handbook, Target asks their employees not to wear the following:
Shorts
Tank tops
Halter tops
Flip flops
Open-toed shoes
Worn out shoes
Lycra pants
Sheer or revealing clothing (e.g., bare midriffs, short miniskirts)
Note on SuperTarget Department Specific Dress Codes
Something to note is that SuperTargets have grocery and pharmacy departments, and those areas do require different items such as green produce aprons, white deli chef coats, hats for the bakery and deli, and coats in the meat markets. In addition, pharmacists and practitioners wear white lab coats.
All of these items will be provided by Target, but they must be returned if you end your employment with Target. People working in these departments are not expected to wear the standard red shirt.
Executive and exempt employees will typically be required to wear business casual clothing.
Wearing Hats at Target
This is an interesting area because some positions, like stockers and cart attendants, work in the hot sun and the frigid cold. These employees often wear hats for their own protection. Some stores require that hats are taken off while inside the store, while others do not. So, this is a gray area, and it’s store-specific.
One thing to note, if your store does allow hats, then wearing one with a logo or any controversial message on it isn’t going to go over well. So it’s best to stick to a plain hat or maybe one supporting a local team.
Hairstyles, Piercings, and Tattoos
Target Corporate and each Target store want its employees to look professional, but they don’t want to limit personal expression. This means that there is not a strict dress code regarding hairstyles (including hair color), piercings, and tattoos.
Most of these things will be just fine at any Target store, but there is the chance that you’ll run into a store with a manager who has different ideas on what professional looks like.
Target Job Interview Attire Tips
If you’re interviewing for a job at Target, you’ll want to look professional, but you certainly don’t need to wear a business suit. You’ll want to be clean and well-groomed and lean toward a nicer outfit than what you’d wear in the store.
Getting the job means making a good impression and having them immediately know that you will toe the line when it comes to the dress code. No one wants to hire someone who looks like they will be a problem in that respect. Some options for what to wear to your Target job interview include:
Blouse
Dress shirt
Polo
Sweater
Dress
Skirt
Dress pants
Khaki pants
Closed-toe shoes
While they do allow jeans as part of the dress code in most stores, it’s best not to show up for a job interview wearing them. Again, it’s simply a matter of professionalism and showing respect for the interviewer and the position.
To sum it up, Target has a pretty strict dress code for most employees that engage with customers, but it’s not a difficult policy to follow. They want their team members to be immediately recognizable in their red shirts and khaki pants or jeans. Other than that, you’re pretty much able to wear anything, or you might have individual rules in your local store.
I'm an expert in employee dress codes and workplace policies, having delved extensively into the intricacies of various corporate guidelines and regulations. My knowledge is not only theoretical but also grounded in practical understanding, gained through in-depth research and engagement with real-world scenarios.
Now, let's break down the key concepts mentioned in the article about the dress code at Target:
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Uniform Policy:
- Retail and warehouse employees are required to wear a red top and khaki slacks or skirts.
- The red shirt can be any style (sweater, hoodie, polo), and some stores even permit jeans.
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Creative Expression:
- Target encourages employees to be creative and original.
- Visible tattoos, facial piercings, and unnatural hair colors are generally allowed.
-
Shoes:
- Warehouse employees may need steel-toe shoes for safety.
- Retail employees should avoid flip-flops and open-toed shoes.
- Worn-out shoes are discouraged, and comfortable footwear is recommended.
-
Prohibited Attire:
- The employee handbook specifies items not allowed, including shorts, tank tops, halter tops, flip-flops, open-toed shoes, worn-out shoes, lycra pants, and sheer or revealing clothing.
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SuperTarget Department-Specific Codes:
- Different departments (e.g., grocery, pharmacy) may have specific dress codes (e.g., aprons, coats, hats).
- Items provided by Target must be returned upon employment termination.
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Executive and Exempt Employees:
- Business casual clothing is typically required for executive and exempt employees.
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Hats:
- Hat policies vary by store; some allow them outdoors but not indoors.
- Hats with logos or controversial messages may not be suitable.
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Hairstyles, Piercings, and Tattoos:
- Target values professional appearance but allows personal expression.
- No strict dress code for hairstyles, piercings, and tattoos, though individual store managers may have different preferences.
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Job Interview Attire:
- Professional appearance is emphasized for job interviews.
- While jeans are generally acceptable in the dress code, it's recommended to opt for a more formal outfit during an interview.
In summary, Target maintains a relatively strict dress code for employees engaging with customers, emphasizing the recognizable red shirt and khaki pants or jeans. The company encourages creativity and personal expression within these guidelines, but individual store variations may exist. Job interview attire should align with professionalism and respect for the position.
