<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-07-02</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001016607</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>WILSONS THE LEATHER EXPERTS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>WLSN</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001130334</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>WESCHLER R TED</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>4048 EAST MAIN ST.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>2ND FL.</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CHARLOTTESVILLE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>VA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>22902</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>15487513</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Footnotes</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Warrant</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>3.00</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2004-04-25</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2009-04-25</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>1428571</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Footnotes</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Warrant</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>3.00</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2004-07-02</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2009-07-02</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>1428571</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Footnotes</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">These securities are held in the account of Peninsula Investment Partners, L.P. (the &quot;Partnership&quot;) for which Peninsula
Capital Advisors, LLC (&quot;Peninsula Advisors&quot;) serves as investment manager. Mr. R. Ted Weschler is the managing member of
Peninsula Advisors. Peninsula Advisors and Mr. Weschler may be deemed to beneficially own the securities held by the
Partnership by virtue of Peninsula Advisor's position as investment manager of the Partnership and Mr. Weschler's status as
the managing member of Peninsula Advisors.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">In addition, in connection with the closing of the transaction provided for in the Common Stock and Warrant Purchase
Agreement, dated as of April 25, 2004, between the Partnership and the issuer of the reported securities (the &quot;Stock
Purchase Agreement&quot;), and pursuant to the terms of the Stock Purchase Agreement, Mr. R. Ted Weschler was appointed by the
Board of Directors of the issuer of the reported securities to serve as a Class II director of the issuer of the reported
securities for a remaining term ending at the time of the 2007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders or until his successor is
elected and qualified.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks>(+) The Reporting Person disclaims beneficial ownership of the reported securities except to the extent of his pecuniary
interest therein.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: /s/ R. Ted Weschler(+)</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-07-07</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

