TRADEMARK STRATEGY FOR A SHOE BRAND
Core Goods to Cover
These fall under Class 25 of the Nice Classification:
- Footwear (this includes all types: heels, flats, sandals, sneakers, boots, etc.)
- Clothing & headwear (you may want to cover these too if you plan to expand into apparel or accessories)
You might also include:
- Class 18 – Bags, handbags, purses (most luxury shoe brands sell matching accessories)
- Class 35 – Retail, online retail, and wholesale services (if you’re selling under your brand name)
Top Trademark Classes for a Shoe Brand
| Class | Description | Why It Matters |
| 25 | Footwear, clothing, headwear | The bread and butter — must-have. |
| 18 | Leather goods, handbags, accessories | Expansion-ready for brand evolution. |
| 35 | Retail and e-commerce services | Protects your name on websites, boutiques, pop-ups. |
| 14 (optional) | Jewelry | Many fashion brands extend into this. |
| 3 (optional) | Cosmetics/perfume | Common cross-branding territory (YSL, Dior, etc.) |
Other Things to Consider:
- Your logo and stylised name – register both the word mark (name) and logo.
- Packaging – if it’s distinctive (like red soles for Louboutin), consider design rights or non-traditional trademarks.
- International protection – use Madrid Protocol to expand into key markets (US, EU, China, UAE, etc.)
- Influencer & social presence – secure your handle names and consider TM protection under Class 38 or 41 for content and media.
More shoes. Teenager party at my house!
