1


                                                                     EXHIBIT 5.1

Pepper Hamilton LLP
3000 Two Logan Square
Eighteenth and Arch Streets
Philadelphia, PA  19103-2799
215.981.4000 Fax 215.981.4750

                                                     August 14, 2001

V.F. Corporation
P.O. Box 21488
Greensboro, North Carolina 27420

  Re:  Registration Statement on Form S-8

Ladies  and Gentlemen:

       Reference is made to the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the
"Registration Statement") of V.F. Corporation, a Pennsylvania corporation (the
"Company"), to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Act"). The Registration
Statement relates to the offering and sale by the Company of an additional
7,000,000 shares of common stock, without par value, stated capital $1.00 per
share (the "Shares") of the Company pursuant to the Company's 1996 Stock
Compensation Plan (the "Plan").

              In this connection, we have examined the Registration Statement,
including the exhibits thereto, the originals or copies, certified or otherwise
identified to our satisfaction, of the Articles of Incorporation and the By-Laws
of the Company as amended to date, and such other documents and corporate
records relating to the Company as we have deemed appropriate for the purpose of
rendering the opinion expressed herein. The opinion expressed herein is based
exclusively on the applicable provisions of the Pennsylvania Business
Corporation Law and federal securities laws as in effect on the date hereof.

              On the basis of the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the
Shares, when issued and paid for in accordance with the Plan, will be legally
issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

              We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to
the Registration Statement. By providing such consent, we do not admit that we
come within the categories of persons whose consent is required under Section 7
of the Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated
thereunder.

                            Very truly yours,

                            PEPPER HAMILTON LLP

                            /S/ PEPPER HAMILTON LLP