About navigare kids
navigare kids is the children’s clothing and accessories line of Navigare, an Italian lifestyle and sportswear brand established in 1961. Rooted in maritime heritage, the parent brand is known for combining Italian style with casual elegance and nautical themes. While often referred to as a distinct entity, navigare kids functions primarily as a product category within the broader Navigare ecosystem rather than as an independent company. The brand operates through a licensing model, partnering with specialized manufacturers for various categories including children’s apparel, underwear, sleepwear, and footwear.
Overview
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Brand | navigare kids |
| Parent brand | Navigare |
| Origin | Italy |
| Parent brand founded | 1961 |
| Original location | Carpi, Modena, Italy |
| Industry | Fashion / apparel / footwear |
| Main segment | Children and young people |
| Style | Italian casual, sportswear, nautical-inspired |
| Core themes | Sea, sailing, freedom, movement, adventure |
| Typical products | T-shirts, polos, trousers, sweaters, jackets, dresses, underwear, sleepwear, footwear, sunglasses |
| Target market | Boys and girls |
| International presence | Present in more than 30 countries |
The parent brand defines its identity through quality, versatility, innovation, freedom, and Italian elegance. Its visual language consistently incorporates nautical imagery, most notably the sailboat and waves motif.
History
Origins of Navigare
Navigare was founded in 1961 in Carpi, Italy. The brand’s original mission was to produce casual menswear that blended Italian elegance with the sense of freedom and adventure associated with the sea. The name Navigare is derived from the Italian verb meaning “to sail” or “to navigate,” a concept that remains central to the brand’s identity.
Over subsequent decades, Navigare evolved from a menswear label into a comprehensive lifestyle brand. During the 1990s, it solidified its position in Italian fashion by integrating sportswear elements into its collections. The 2000s marked a period of further international expansion and strategic collaborations.
Development of children’s products
The Navigare universe eventually expanded beyond adult clothing to include products for children. Items bearing the Navigare name now span multiple categories, including clothing, underwear, sleepwear, footwear, and accessories such as sunglasses. Retail listings indicate a wide range of products designed for both boys and girls, from everyday shirts and polo shirts to outerwear and dresses.
The brand’s growth in this segment is driven by its licensing model. Navigare currently lists T-shirts, polos, shirts, sweatshirts, outerwear, beachwear, trousers, knitwear, underwear, loungewear, sleepwear, footwear, socks, and accessories among the categories managed through its network of licensees. Consequently, products carrying the navigare kids name are produced by various specialized manufacturing partners rather than a single factory.
Brand identity
The core philosophy of Navigare centers on the relationship between fashion and the sea. The brand views the sea as a symbol of both tranquillity and dynamism, while the sailboat logo represents freedom, adventure, and movement.
For the children’s segment, this identity translates into a style that combines:
- Nautical references
- Sporty details
- Casual silhouettes
- Practical everyday clothing
- Bright or marine-inspired colours
- Polo-shirt and T-shirt styles
- Comfortable fabrics
- Designs suitable for active children
Rather than positioning itself as formal children’s couture, navigare kids occupies the casual, lifestyle, and sportswear segments of kidswear.
Design language
Navigare’s visual language is intrinsically linked to the Mediterranean and maritime lifestyle.
Nautical influence
The sailboat symbol is the most recognizable element of the brand. Stylistic associations commonly include navy blue, white, red, sky blue, stripes, waves, maritime graphics, polo collars, and sporty typography. This aesthetic aligns the brand with the classic Italian nautical and preppy style.
Casual elegance
Navigare does not frame its children’s line as high fashion. Instead, the emphasis is on versatile clothing suitable for everyday casual wear, leisure, and sports. The broader company philosophy describes its apparel as balancing elegance with freedom of movement, a principle that directly informs the character of its children’s collections.
Products
Product availability for navigare kids varies by market, licensee, and season.
Clothing
Children’s collections have included T-shirts, polo shirts, shirts, sweatshirts, sweaters, cardigans, trousers, shorts, jackets, dresses, skirts, tracksuits, and outerwear. Retail platforms offer these items for both boys and girls across various size ranges.
Underwear and sleepwear
The Navigare name extends to children’s underwear and sleepwear. Retailers list items such as briefs, boxer shorts, and pyjamas in various sizes under the brand.
Footwear
Footwear is a significant extension of the navigare kids line. The brand identifies footwear as a key licensed category. Available products include sneakers, skateboarding shoes, and boots for children. Listings on various retail platforms show diverse options, including casual shoes and sporty sneakers in colours such as grey, beige, pink, black, and green. These products are positioned to combine comfort, everyday practicality, and contemporary styling.
Accessories
In addition to apparel and footwear, the brand has extended into accessories. Specialized retailers list navigare kids sunglasses, further diversifying the product ecosystem.
Target audience
navigare kids primarily targets children and young teenagers. Its aesthetic appeals to families seeking clothing that balances fashion, comfort, sportswear, and leisurewear.
Rather than adopting an exclusively playful children’s look, the line borrows elements from adult Navigare styling. This creates a recognizable family-brand relationship where children’s clothing shares colours, logos, and nautical references with adult collections. This approach is consistent with Navigare’s broader licensing strategy, which extends the brand across multiple lifestyle categories.
Manufacturing and licensing
A key distinction exists between the Navigare trademark and the companies that manufacture individual products. Navigare maintains a network of selected licensees for different categories. Its licensing partners handle areas including clothing, knitwear, underwear, sleepwear, footwear, socks, and accessories.
For example, Clan S.r.l., an Italian company founded in 1978, specializes in sportswear and beachwear and lists Navigare among the brands it produces for men, women, and children. As a result, a navigare kids garment may have a different manufacturer, distributor, or licensee depending on the product category, country, and collection. Online marketplaces sometimes present products simply as “navigare kids” without detailing this underlying licensing structure.
International presence
Navigare describes itself as an internationally distributed Italian brand present in more than 30 countries. Children’s products reach different markets through retailers, distributors, and licensees. Consequently, the specific selection of navigare kids products can differ significantly from one country to another; some markets may emphasize clothing, while others focus on footwear, underwear, or seasonal items. Authentic navigare kids products are also available through verified global retail platforms.
Brand positioning
navigare kids is positioned as Italian-inspired nautical lifestyle clothing for children, combining casual sportswear with comfort and classic maritime styling. Its primary differentiators include:
- Italian heritage
- Nautical identity
- Casual sportswear aesthetic
- Family-oriented lifestyle positioning
- Recognizable sailboat branding
- Broad licensing and product ecosystem
- International distribution
The parent brand describes itself as combining quality, versatility, and innovation with an identity rooted in the sea and Italian style.
Relationship with the Navigare brand
It is important to distinguish navigare kids from the wider Navigare brand. Navigare is the original Italian lifestyle fashion brand founded in 1961, with a historical core in menswear and sportswear. navigare kids represents the children’s extension of this ecosystem. It adopts the same visual DNA—nautical imagery, colours, logo, and casual-sporting aesthetic—but adapts it specifically for children’s clothing and footwear. It is not a separate corporate entity but a dedicated product line within the main brand.
Official brand sources
Authoritative information regarding the brand can be found via:
- Navigare Official Website
- Navigare About Us / History page
- Navigare Licensees page
- Navigare Brand Story blog