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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 MBhQLtR57YPzfFn1eKAoag00nn3HA9VuK4T/kZrAtga7dVG9IaCDuXu7mY4JxZa2
 juGseat71C2hiW2LAvZTTA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001179110-04-022085.txt : 20041124
<SEC-HEADER>0001179110-04-022085.hdr.sgml : 20041124
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20041124163537
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001179110-04-022085
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20041124
FILED AS OF DATE:		20041124
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20041124

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MANGINI DAVID
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001270018

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-21196
		FILM NUMBER:		041167639

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2652 MILL RD
		CITY:			DAYLESTOWN
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			18901

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MOTHERS WORK INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000896985
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-WOMEN'S CLOTHING STORES [5621]
		IRS NUMBER:				133045573
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0930

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		456 N 5TH ST
		CITY:			PHILADELPHIA
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			19123
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2158732200
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4 -
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-11-24</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000896985</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>MOTHERS WORK INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>MWRK</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001270018</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MANGINI DAVID</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O MOTHERS WORK, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>456 NORTH 5TH STREET</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>PHILADELPHIA</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>PA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>19123</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Exec. VP</officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable></nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Option (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>12.86</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-11-24</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>3000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2005-11-24</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-11-24</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>3000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Options vest and are exercisable 20% per year beginning on the first anniversary of the option date.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>David Mangini</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-11-24</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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