Exhibit 21


                      THE MAY DEPARTMENT STORES COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                   SUBSIDIARIES OF MAY


The corporations listed below are subsidiaries of May, and all are included in
the consolidated financial statements of May as subsidiaries (unnamed
subsidiaries, considered in the aggregate as a single subsidiary, would not
constitute a significant subsidiary):


                                                          Jurisdiction
                                                          in which
      Name                                                organized

The May Department Stores Company                         New York

May Merchandising Company                                 Delaware

May Department Stores International, Inc.                 Delaware

May Capital, Inc.                                         Delaware

Grande Levee, Inc.                                        Nevada

Leadville Insurance Company                               Vermont

Snowdin Insurance Company                                 Vermont

David's Bridal, Inc.                                      Florida

After Hours Formalwear, Inc.                              Georgia

Priscilla of Boston, Inc.                                 Delaware