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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000019353-03-000097.txt : 20030626
<SEC-HEADER>0000019353-03-000097.hdr.sgml : 20030626
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030626085213
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000019353-03-000097
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030625
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030626

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CHARMING SHOPPES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000019353
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-WOMEN'S CLOTHING STORES [5621]
		IRS NUMBER:				231721355
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			PA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0131

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		450 WINKS LANE
		CITY:			BENSALEM
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			19020
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2152459100

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		450 WINKS LANE
		CITY:			BENSALEM
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			19020

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			LEWIS PAMELA S DR
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001065431

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-07258
		FILM NUMBER:		03757507

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		DREXEL UNIVERSITY -MATHESON HALL RM 106
		STREET 2:		32ND & CHESTNUT STREETS
		CITY:			PHILADELPHIA
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			19104
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2158951030

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		DREXEL UNIVERSITY MATHESON HALL RM 106
		STREET 2:		32ND & CHESTNUTS STREETS
		CITY:			PHILADELPHIA
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			19104
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgardoc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0101</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-06-25</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000019353</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CHARMING SHOPPES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CHRS</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001065431</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>LEWIS PAMELA S DR</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeSecurity>
        <securityTitle>
            <value>Deferred Shares</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
        </securityTitle>
        <conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <value>0</value>
        </conversionOrExercisePrice>
        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-06-25</value>
        </transactionDate>
        <transactionCoding>
            <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
            <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
            <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
        </transactionCoding>
        <transactionAmounts>
            <transactionShares>
                <value>629</value>
            </transactionShares>
            <transactionValue>
                <value>0</value>
            </transactionValue>
            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>A</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <exerciseDate>
            <value>1999-09-09</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
        </exerciseDate>
        <expirationDate>
            <value>1999-09-09</value>
        </expirationDate>
        <underlyingSecurity>
            <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </underlyingSecurityTitle>
            <underlyingSecurityShares>
                <value>629</value>
            </underlyingSecurityShares>
        </underlyingSecurity>
        <postTransactionAmounts>
            <valueOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>6304</value>
            </valueOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>
            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>D</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
    </derivativeSecurity>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Each deferred share represents a right to receive cash upon settlement equal to the value of one share of common stock.  Deferred shares were acquired upon deferral of cash under the Company's Amended and Restated Non-Employee Directors Compensation Program, in a transaction exempt under Rule 16b-3(d).  Deferred shares will be settled, in a lump sum or in installments, at or following the participant's termination of service, as elected by the participant.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>LEWIS, PAMELA S.</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-06-26</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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