How to Trademark a Fashion Label (2026 Step-by-Step USPTO Guide)

Why should you trademark a fashion label?

Trademarking a fashion label gives you the exclusive nationwide right to use your brand name and logo on clothing. In the United States, trademark rights are largely first-to-file, so the first business to register a name at the USPTO generally holds priority even against a company that started using a similar name locally. For a fashion brand, that name is the asset customers recognize on a hangtag, a storefront, and a social feed. A federal registration lets you stop copycats, sell on major marketplaces that require proof of brand ownership, block counterfeit imports through U.S. Customs, and license or sell the brand later. Trademark registration is the core of intellectual property and brand protection, and the USPTO is the federal agency that grants it. Secure Mark USA connects those pieces by preparing and filing your application so your fashion label is recorded correctly the first time.

Which USPTO class covers a clothing brand?

A clothing brand is registered in USPTO Class 25, which covers apparel, footwear, and headwear. Trademark protection is tied to the specific goods and services you list, so Class 25 protects the name on shirts, dresses, jackets, shoes, and hats. Many fashion labels also sell accessories and operate a shop, so two other classes are common: Class 18 covers handbags, wallets, and leather goods, and Class 35 covers retail store and online shop services. If you only sell garments today, file in Class 25 alone; you can add classes later as the line grows. Choosing the right class matters because the $350 USPTO fee applies per class, and an over-broad or mismatched description can trigger a refusal.

How do you file a trademark for a fashion label step by step?

You file a fashion label trademark by submitting an application to the USPTO through its TEAS system, and the process follows a clear sequence. First, run a clearance search to confirm no confusingly similar clothing mark already exists. Second, decide your filing basis: use-in-commerce if you are already selling, or intent-to-use if you plan to launch soon. Third, identify the owner, list your goods in Class 25, and upload a specimen such as a photo of a label or hangtag showing the mark on the product. Fourth, pay the $350-per-class government fee and submit. After filing, a USPTO examining attorney reviews the application in roughly three to four months, and if there are no refusals the mark is published for opposition before registering. Secure Mark USA prepares each of these steps for you, starting from $99 plus the USPTO fee.

Key takeaways

• Clothing, footwear, and headwear are trademarked in USPTO Class 25.
• Filing starts from $99 plus the $350-per-class USPTO fee.
• U.S. trademark rights are largely first-to-file, so registering early secures priority.
• Bags belong in Class 18 and retail services in Class 35, added per class.
• U.S.-domiciled applicants are not required to hire an attorney to file.

Frequently asked questions