EXHIBIT 99.1

          CHARMING SHOPPES, INC. ANNOUNCES EXTENSION OF CREDIT FACILITY


Bensalem, PA, February 4, 2004 - Charming Shoppes, Inc. (NASDAQ:CHRS), a leading
retail apparel chain specializing in women's plus-size apparel, announced today
that it has amended and restated its $300,000,000 revolving credit facility,
effective January 29, 2004. The amended facility, which expires in August 2008,
replaces the Company's $300,000,000 facility that was scheduled to expire in
August 2004.

Congress Financial Corporation is the Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent and
Joint Bookrunner. J.P. Morgan Business Credit Corp. is a Co-Documentation Agent,
Joint Lead Arranger and Joint Bookrunner. Wachovia Bank, N.A., is a Joint Lead
Arranger. Bank of America, N.A. and Fleet Retail Group, Inc. are
Co-Documentation Agents. The credit facility is used primarily for working
capital, letters of credit, and general corporate purposes. As of the January
29, 2004 closing date, there were no cash borrowings outstanding on the credit
facility.

Charming Shoppes, Inc. operates 2,227 stores in 48 states under the names LANE
BRYANT(R), FASHION BUG(R), FASHION BUG PLUS(R), and CATHERINE'S PLUS SIZES(R).
Please visit www.charmingshoppes.com for additional information about Charming
Shoppes, Inc.

This release contains certain forward-looking statements concerning the
Company's operations, performance, and financial condition. These
forward-looking statements include statements regarding future performance,
including financial liquidity, and other matters. Such forward-looking
statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause
actual results to differ materially from those indicated. Such risks and
uncertainties may include, but are not limited to: failure to achieve successful
integrations, failure to successfully implement the restructuring plan and cost
reductions, failure to successfully implement the Company's business plan for
increased profitability and growth in the plus-size women's apparel business,
changes in or miscalculation of fashion trends, extreme or unseasonable weather
conditions, economic downturns, a weakness in overall consumer demand, failure
to find suitable store locations, the ability to hire and train associates,
trade restrictions and political or financial instability in countries where
goods are manufactured, the interruption of merchandise flow to the Company's
retail stores from its centralized distribution facilities, competitive
pressures, and the adverse effects of acts or threats of war, terrorism, or
other armed conflict on the United States and international economies. These,
and other risks and uncertainties, are detailed in the Company's filings with
the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 1, 2003 and other Company filings
with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Charming Shoppes assumes no duty to
update or revise its forward-looking statements even if experience or future
changes make it clear that any projected results expressed or implied therein
will not be realized.

CONTACT:          Gayle M. Coolick
                  Director of Investor Relations
                  (215) 638-6955