-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 Pai6SqBqisUltlhOzj6B1SENudAo76E+fTCYcFL3Nik01n3ftyPLMuSZeEMp5ZBJ
 NBvH2OcOSgXUSOTi/uqQHQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000019353-03-000091.txt : 20030602
<SEC-HEADER>0000019353-03-000091.hdr.sgml : 20030602
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030602111459
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000019353-03-000091
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030601
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030602

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CHARMING SHOPPES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000019353
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-WOMEN'S CLOTHING STORES [5621]
		IRS NUMBER:				231721355
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			PA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0131

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		450 WINKS LANE
		CITY:			BENSALEM
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			19020
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2152459100

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		450 WINKS LANE
		CITY:			BENSALEM
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			19020

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CASTLE JOSEPH L II
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001024757

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-07258
		FILM NUMBER:		03727381

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O CHARMAIN SHOPPES INC
		STREET 2:		450 WINKS LANE
		CITY:			BENSALEM
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			19020
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2156386898

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE RADNOR CORP CENTER
		STREET 2:		STE 250
		CITY:			RADNOR
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			19087
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgardoc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0101</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-06-01</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000019353</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CHARMING SHOPPES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CHRS</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001024757</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>CASTLE JOSEPH L II</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeSecurity>
        <securityTitle>
            <value>Restricted Share Units</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
        </securityTitle>
        <conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <value>0</value>
        </conversionOrExercisePrice>
        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-06-01</value>
        </transactionDate>
        <transactionCoding>
            <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
            <transactionCode>D</transactionCode>
            <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
        </transactionCoding>
        <transactionAmounts>
            <transactionShares>
                <value>3000</value>
            </transactionShares>
            <transactionValue>
                <value>4.72</value>
            </transactionValue>
            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>D</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <exerciseDate>
            <value>2003-06-01</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
        </exerciseDate>
        <expirationDate>
            <value>2003-06-01</value>
        </expirationDate>
        <underlyingSecurity>
            <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </underlyingSecurityTitle>
            <underlyingSecurityShares>
                <value>3000</value>
            </underlyingSecurityShares>
        </underlyingSecurity>
        <postTransactionAmounts>
            <valueOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>0</value>
            </valueOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>
            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>D</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
    </derivativeSecurity>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Automatic cashout of restricted share units (RSUs) at the vesting date in a transaction exempt under Rule 16b-3(d) and (e).  Each RSU represents a right to receive cash upon settlement equal to the value of one share of common stock or, in certain cases, one share of common stock rather than cash.  RSUs were granted under the Company's Amended and Restated Non-Employee Directors Compensation Program.  Settlement of RSUs is automatic on the vesting date, unless the Reporting Person had elected to defer settlement to a date or dates at or following termination of service as a director.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>CASTLE II, JOSEPH L.</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-06-02</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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