USPTO Trademark Classes Blog Series: Class 25 – Clothing and Apparel

Welcome back to our USPTO Trademark Classes Blog Series, where we explore each trademark class to help businesses properly categorize and protect their brands.

In this installment, we’re covering Trademark Class 25, which includes clothing, footwear, and headwear. If your business designs, manufactures, or sells fashion apparel, this class may be the right fit for your trademark.

If you’ve ever asked, “Can I trademark my clothing brand?” or “Does my product fall under Class 25?”, this guide will help clarify whether this classification is appropriate for your brand.

What is Trademark Class 25?

Trademark Class 25 covers all types of clothing, footwear, and headwear for men, women, and children. This class is commonly used by fashion brands, sportswear companies, and footwear manufacturers.

Some examples of goods that might fall under Trademark Class 25 include:

• Clothing: Shirts, dresses, pants, skirts, jackets, coats, T-shirts, sweaters

• Footwear: Sneakers, sandals, boots, high heels, loafers

• Headwear: Hats, caps, beanies, visors, headbands

• Sports and Outdoor Apparel: Activewear, yoga pants, jerseys, swimsuits, ski suits

• Undergarments: Lingerie, bras, boxers, socks, hosiery

• Fashion Accessories: Scarves, gloves, belts

If your product is a wearable item for fashion, sports, or protection, Trademark Class 25 is likely the correct classification.

Why Trademark Class 25 Matters for Your Business

Registering a trademark under Class 25 helps protect your brand in the fashion, footwear, and apparel industry. Here’s why filing in this class might be important:

1. Prevents brand confusion – The fashion industry is saturated with similar brand names. A trademark ensures your clothing brand is distinct and legally protected.

2. Protects against counterfeiting – The apparel and footwear industry faces high levels of imitation products. Trademark registration helps prevent unauthorized sellers from using your brand name.

3. Strengthens brand identity and trust – Customers associate fashion and apparel brands with quality and exclusivity. A trademark reinforces your reputation in the market.

4. Supports business expansion – If you plan to expand your brand into additional clothing lines, accessories, or footwear, a trademark in Class 25 ensures comprehensive brand protection.

Examples of Trademarks in Class 25

Many well-known fashion and footwear brands have trademarks registered under Class 25. Here are a few examples:

1. Nike® – Protects its brand for sportswear, sneakers, and activewear.

2. Adidas® – Covers clothing, athletic footwear, and hats.

3. Gucci® – Trademarks its name for luxury fashion apparel, shoes, and accessories.

   
   

These companies rely on trademark protection to preserve their brand identity and prevent unauthorized use of their names and logos.

Do You Need a Trademark Search Before Filing in Class 25?

A comprehensive trademark search is highly recommended before applying in Class 25. The fashion industry has many overlapping brand names, making conflicts more common in this category.

At Brand Diplomacy, we conduct in-depth trademark searches to ensure your brand has the best chance of approval. Here’s how we help:

• USPTO Database Search – Identifying similar trademarks that could cause conflicts.

• Approval Risk Assessment – Evaluating potential obstacles and improving your application’s success rate.

• Trademark Strategy Development – Refining your application to reduce the risk of disputes.

How to Determine if Class 25 is Right for Your Trademark

If you’re unsure whether Trademark Class 25 is the correct category for your product, consider the following:

1. Is your product a clothing item, shoe, or headwear?

   • If it’s a T-shirt, jacket, sneakers, or hat, Class 25 is likely appropriate.

2. Is your product designed for everyday wear, sports, or fashion?

   • Casual clothing, activewear, and high fashion items all belong in Class 25.

3. Does your product overlap with other classes?

   • Some apparel-related products may require multiple classifications. Examples include:

     • Clothing retail services may need Class 35 (Retail & Business Services).

     • Wearable smart technology (e.g., heated jackets, fitness tracking apparel) could belong in Class 9 (Electronics & Scientific Devices).

     • Protective workwear and uniforms might require Class 9 (Protective Equipment).

   
   

If your product crosses multiple categories, filing in more than one class might be necessary for full brand protection.

How Brand Diplomacy Can Help

At Brand Diplomacy, we simplify the trademark process for fashion brands, footwear companies, and clothing designers. Whether you’re launching a new apparel line, protecting a luxury fashion brand, or expanding into international markets, we provide expert guidance every step of the way.

Here’s how we assist with Class 25 trademark registrations:

• Trademark Search & Clearance – Ensuring your brand name is available before filing.

• Class Selection Guidance – Helping determine if Class 25 is the right choice or if additional classes should be included.

• Application Filing & Management– Handling the USPTO process to maximize approval success.

• Trademark Monitoring & Enforcement – Protecting your trademark from unauthorized use and counterfeits.

If you’re ready to secure your brand in Class 25, contact us today to get started.

What’s Next in Our Trademark Class Series?

Thank you for exploring Trademark Class 25: Clothing and Apparel with us! Up next, we’ll cover Trademark Class 26: Lace, Embroidery, and Sewing Supplies, where we’ll discuss trademarks for ribbons, buttons, zippers, and decorative sewing materials.

Stay tuned as we continue guiding you through the USPTO trademark classes, helping you make informed decisions for your brand!