Exhibit 99

AT THE COMPANY:
Daniel D. Viren                             Roy Youst
Senior Vice President-Finance               Director Corporate Communications
(614) 864-6400                              (614) 864-6400


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THURSDAY, MAY 15, 2003

            R.G. BARRY CORPORATION TO SELL VESTURE CORPORATION ASSETS

PICKERINGTON, OHIO - MAY 15, 2003 - R.G. BARRY CORPORATION (NYSE:RGB) today
announced that it has agreed to sell certain business assets of its Vesture
Corporation thermal products subsidiary to a private company led by Vesture
Corporation Chairman Byron Owens. The purchase agreement was signed Wednesday
and is expected to close within a few weeks, subject to the buyer completing
final financing arrangements and the satisfaction of other closing conditions.

Assets sold include, among other things, intellectual properties, inventories,
equipment and the Vesture name. The buyer also will assume certain liabilities.
R.G. Barry did not disclose the sale price, but will retain certain trade
accounts receivable, receive a cash payment, a note, and potential royalties on
certain annualized sales through 2006.

"We continue to believe that the thermal products concept has tremendous
viability, but this sale is the right decision for R.G. Barry Corporation and
its shareholders," said Gordon Zacks, R.G. Barry Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer. "For us, the thermal products business has become a management
distraction and financial drain. Today's sale will curtail losses in our thermal
products segment, further reduce our inventories and provide a potential for
royalties. R.G. Barry management now can focus on what we know best, our at- and
around-the-home comfort footwear business."

Vesture Corporation's hot and cold thermal retention technology products are
used in various consumer products and in commercial applications for the
preservation and transport of prepared foods.

To learn more about R.G. Barry Corporation and its at- and around-the-home
footwear products, visit the Company Website at (www.rgbarry.com).


"SAFE HARBOR" STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF
1995: The statements in this news release, other than statements of historical
fact, are forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based upon
our current plans and strategies, and reflect our current assessment of the
risks and uncertainties related to our business. In addition to the risks and
uncertainties noted in the release, there are factors that could cause results
to differ materially from those anticipated by some of the statements made.
These factors include product demand and market acceptance; the economic and
business environment and the impact of governmental regulations, both in the
United States and abroad; the effects of direct sourcing by customers of
competitive products from alternative suppliers; the loss of significant
customers in connection with mergers, acquisitions, bankruptcies or other
circumstances; economic, regulatory and cultural difficulties or delays in our
business development outside the United States; our ability to improve processes
and business practices to keep pace with the economic, competitive and
technological environment; the availability and costs of financing; capacity,
efficiency and supply constraints; weather; the effects of terrorist acts; acts
of war; and other risks detailed in the our press releases, shareholder
communications and Securities and Exchange Commission filings.