Nautica (clothing company)

Nautica is an American apparel brand of the VF Corporation featuring primarily Men's, Women's, Children's Apparel & Accessories, Home, Watches, and Fragrance. Nautica was founded in 1983 by clothing designer David Chu and a partner. It was purchased for cash and stock in 1984 by State-O-Maine, a New York-based apparel company. State-O-Maine changed its name to Nautica in 1994. VF Corporation purchased Nautica in 2003.

Nautica took its name from the Latin word nauticus - which comes from the Greek word ναυτικός - for naval and in Italian language nautica means seamanship. Since one of mankind's first accomplishments in exploring the world was to take to the seas, a spinnaker logo was designed as a symbol of adventure and action.