Fast food chain McDonald's launched new uniforms in the U.S. earlier this month, aiming for a modern and functional look with a nod to fashion.
But as news of the updated designs in shades of gray spread, people on Twitter have been comparing them to the bad guys in "Star Wars," the outfits in science fiction spoof movie "Spaceballs," and to clothing seen in the "Hunger Games" film franchise.
The company aims for the new look to "bridge the gap between fashion and function, allowing for an easy transition from the restaurant to a social environment," it said in an online statement.
McDonald's launched the new uniforms, by designers Waraire Boswell and Bindu Rivas across its 14,000 U.S. restaurants, on April 12, saying: "This major move is another step in the company's commitment to become America's best first job and improve the restaurant experience."
The company claims that more than 70 percent of staff it surveyed feel the uniforms "provide a modern image that they would be proud to wear."
In a tweet, @McDonalds posted a video showing how its uniforms have changed over the years, from the all-white outfits of the 1950s, to a brown-and-white checkerboard style dress for female employees with hair bow in 1968 and a white and blue uniform in 1974.
The 2017 style comes with a dark gray apron that can be tied around the neck or waist, with a matching cap.
Jez Langhorn, McDonald's senior director of HR, said in an online statement: "Our new collections focus on comfort, fit, functionality and contemporary professionalism, delivering a uniform that crew and managers will feel comfortable to work in and proud to wear.
"Beyond that, it's another step in the company's continuous effort to raise the bar by investing in people and improving the restaurant experience with a focus on hospitality."