FORM  10-Q
                          SECURITIES  AND  EXCHANGE  COMMISSION
                                 WASHINGTON,  D.C.  20549


(Mark  One)
  (  X  )     Quarterly  Report  Pursuant  to  Section  13  or  15(d)  of the
                          Securities  Exchange  Act  of  1934

For  the  Quarterly  Period  Ended     October  28,  2000
                                    --------------------------------------------
                                              OR

  (     )     Transition  Report  Pursuant  to  Section  13  or  15(d)  of  the
                          Securities  Exchange  Act  of  1934

For  the  transition  period  from            to
                                  ------------  --------------------------------
Commission  file  number                  1-8899

                               CLAIRE'S  STORES,  INC.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (Exact  name  of  registrant  as  specified  in  its  charter)

      Florida                                               59-0940416
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(State  or  other  jurisdiction  of                      (I.R.S.  Employer
incorporation  of  organization)                       Identification  No.)

3  S.W.  129th  Avenue     Pembroke  Pines,  Florida               33027
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Address  of  principal  executive  offices)                    (Zip  Code)

                                (954)  433-3900
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            (Registrant's  telephone  number,  including  area  code)

(Former  name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last
report)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the  preceding  12  months  (or  for such shorter period that the registrant was
required  to  file  such  reports),  and  (2)  has  been  subject to such filing
requirements  for  the  past  90  days.  Yes  X.  No  .
                                             ---     ---


The  number  of shares of the registrant's Common Stock and Class A Common Stock
outstanding  as of November 30, 2000 was 46,022,667 and 2,848,300, respectively,
excluding  treasury  shares.


                                        1
<PAGE>
    CLAIRE'S  STORES,  INC.  AND  SUBSIDIARIES
                    INDEX

                                                                       PAGE  NO.
                                                                       ---------

PART  I.    FINANCIAL  INFORMATION
----------------------------------

  ITEM  1.     FINANCIAL  STATEMENTS

  Condensed  Consolidated  Balance  Sheets  at  October  28,  2000
     and  January  29,  2000.                                               3

  Condensed  Consolidated  Statements  of  Income  and  Comprehensive
     Income  for  the  Three  and  Nine  Months  Ended
     October  28,  2000  and  October  30,  1999.                           4

  Condensed  Consolidated  Statements  of  Cash  Flows  for  the  Nine
     Months  Ended  October  28,  2000  and  October  30,  1999.            5

  Notes  to  Condensed  Consolidated  Financial  Statements               6-7

     ITEM  2.     MANAGEMENT'S  DISCUSSION  AND  ANALYSIS  OF
                  FINANCIAL  CONDITION  AND  RESULTS  OF
                  OPERATIONS                                              7-9

PART  II.  OTHER  INFORMATION
-----------------------------


     ITEM  6.     EXHIBITS  AND  REPORTS  ON  FORM  8-K                    10


                                        2
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                    PART  I.  FINANCIAL  INFORMATION
                CLAIRE'S  STORES,  INC.  AND  SUBSIDIARIES
                  CONDENSED  CONSOLIDATED  BALANCE  SHEETS
                                (UNAUDITED)


                                                         OCT. 28,     JAN 29,
                                                           2000        2000
                                                        ----------  ----------
                                                            (In thousands)
<S>                                                     <C>         <C>
ASSETS
Current assets:
   Cash and cash equivalents                            $  84,155   $ 137,414
   Short-term investments                                     457       3,456
   Inventories                                            143,955     109,464
   Prepaid expenses and other current assets               31,906      39,684
                                                        ----------  ----------
      Total current assets                                260,473     290,018
                                                        ----------  ----------

Property and equipment:
   Land and building                                       17,765      17,568
   Furniture, fixtures and equipment                      174,881     156,688
   Leasehold improvements                                 129,897     129,767
                                                        ----------  ----------
                                                          322,543     304,023
                                                                    ----------
   Less accumulated depreciation and amortization        (154,670)   (137,244)
                                                        ----------  ----------
                                                          167,873     166,779
                                                        ----------  ----------

Goodwill, net                                             211,782     211,982
Other assets                                               37,286      33,320
                                                        ----------  ----------
                                                          249,068     245,302
                                                        ----------  ----------
                                                        $ 677,414   $ 702,099
                                                        ==========  ==========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
   Current portion of long term debt                    $  14,190   $   8,759
   Trade accounts payable                                  44,582      35,911
   Income taxes payable                                     2,729      17,149
   Dividends payable                                        1,950       2,045
   Accrued expenses                                        31,911      32,991
                                                        ----------  ----------
      Total current liabilities                            95,362      96,855
                                                        ----------  ----------

Long term liabilities:
   Long term debt                                         188,289     192,000
   Deferred credits                                        16,388      14,458
                                                        ----------  ----------
                                                          204,677     206,458
                                                        ----------  ----------

Stockholders' equity:
   Preferred stock par value $1.00 per share; authorized
     1,000,000 shares, issued and outstanding 0 shares          -           -
   Class A common stock par value $.05 per share;
     authorized 20,000,000 shares, issued 2,849,467
     shares and 2,868,380 shares                              142         143
   Common stock par value $.05 per share; authorized
     150,000,000 shares issued 48,453,388 shares and
     48,374,226 shares                                      2,423       2,419
   Additional paid-in capital                              29,641      29,291
   Accumulated other comprehensive income                  (9,284)       (228)
   Retained earnings                                      396,737     367,613
                                                        ----------  ----------
                                                          419,659     399,238
   Treasury stock, at cost, (2,276,082 shares)            (42,284)       (452)
                                                        ----------  ----------
                                                          377,375     398,786
                                                        ----------  ----------
Commitments and contingencies
                                                        $ 677,414   $ 702,099
                                                        ==========  ==========
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to condensed financial statements.


                                        3
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                CLAIRE'S  STORES,  INC.  AND  SUBSIDIARIES
                   CONDENSED  CONSOLIDATED  STATEMENTS  OF  INCOME  AND  COMPREHENSIVE  INCOME
                            FOR  THE  THREE  MONTHS  AND  NINE  MONTHS  ENDED
                                OCTOBER  28,  2000  AND  OCTOBER  30,  1999
                                             (Unaudited)


                                                     THREE MONTHS ENDED         NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                    ---------------------   ---------------------
                                                    OCT. 28,     OCT. 30,     OCT. 28,    OCT. 30,
                                                      2000         1999         2000        1999
                                                    ---------   ---------   ----------  ---------
                                                        (In thousands except per share amounts)
<S>                                                 <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>

Net sales                                           $ 247,536   $ 182,750   $ 731,518   $ 539,503
Cost of sales, occupancy and buying expenses          127,505      92,658     380,951     269,254
                                                    ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
Gross profit                                          120,031      90,092     350,567     270,249
                                                    ---------   ---------   ---------   ----------

Other expenses:
   Selling, general and administrative                 84,974      64,819     256,685     185,215
   Depreciation and amortization                       11,079       6,872      32,785      19,595
   Interest expense (income), net                       2,674      (1,574)      7,016      (4,566)
   Gain on investments                                      -           -           -      (3,929)
                                                    ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
                                                       98,727      70,117     296,486     196,315
                                                    ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
   Income from continuing operations before
      income taxes                                     21,304      19,975      54,081      73,934

Income taxes                                            7,460       7,249      19,131      27,088
                                                    ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
   Net income                                          13,844      12,726      34,950      46,846

Other comprehensive income:
   Foreign currency translation adjustments            (3,831)      1,276      (9,056)       (236)
                                                    ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
      Comprehensive income                          $  10,013   $  14,002   $  25,894   $  46,610
                                                    =========   =========   =========   =========
Net income per share:
   Basic                                            $    0.28   $    0.25   $    0.69   $    0.92
                                                    =========   =========   =========   =========

   Diluted                                          $    0.28   $    0.25   $    0.69   $    0.91
                                                    =========   =========   =========   =========
Average common shares outstanding - Basic              49,594      51,043      50,342      50,943
                                                    =========   =========   =========   =========

Average common shares outstanding - Diluted            49,728      51,271      50,524      51,341
                                                    =========   =========   =========   =========
</TABLE>

See  accompanying  notes  to  condensed  consolidated  financial  statements.


                                        4
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                     CLAIRE'S  STORES,  INC.  AND  SUBSIDIARIES
                 CONDENSED  CONSOLIDATED  STATEMENTS  OF  CASH  FLOWS
                           FOR  THE  NINE  MONTHS  ENDED
                    OCTOBER  28,  2000  AND  OCTOBER  30,  1999
                                   (Unaudited)

                                                          NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                       -------------------------
                                                        OCT. 28,       OCT. 30,
                                                          2000           1999
                                                       ---------      ----------
                                                            (In thousands)
<S>                                                    <C>             <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net income                                           $ 34,950        $ 46,846
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
    provided by operating activities:
  Depreciation and amortization                          32,785          19,595
  Gain on investments                                         -          (3,929)
  Loss on retirement of property and equipment            1,210             944
  Changes in assets and liabilities:
  (Increase) decrease in -
    Inventories                                         (33,933)        (36,675)
    Prepaid expenses and other assets                    11,270          (7,433)
  Increase (decrease) in -
    Trade accounts payable                                6,978          13,303
    Income taxes payable                                (14,183)        (14,705)
    Accrued expenses                                     (2,434)         (2,096)
    Deferred credits                                      1,930           2,064
                                                       --------        --------

Net cash provided by operating activities                38,573          17,914
                                                       --------        --------
Cash flows from investing activities:
  Acquisition of property and equipment                 (29,081)        (34,879)
  Sale of short-term investments, net                     2,998          23,140
  Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired          (9,548)        (18,000)
                                                       --------        --------

    Net cash used in investing activities               (35,631)        (29,739)
                                                       --------        --------


Cash flows from financing activities:
  Purchase of treasury stock                            (41,831)              -
  Principal borrowings (payments) on debt                   260            (485)
  Proceeds from stock options exercised                     348           2,554
  Dividends paid                                         (5,922)         (5,939)
                                                       --------        --------

    Net cash used in financing activities               (47,145)         (3,870)
                                                       --------        --------

Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes         (9,056)           (304)
                                                       --------        --------

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents               (53,259)        (15,999)
                                                       --------        --------

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period        137,414         117,546
                                                       --------        --------

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period             $ 84,155        $101,547
                                                       ========        ========
</TABLE>


See  accompanying  notes  to  condensed  consolidated  financial  statements.


                                        5
<PAGE>
                     CLAIRE'S STORES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
     NOTES  TO  CONDENSED  CONSOLIDATED  FINANCIAL  STATEMENTS


1.     The  accompanying  unaudited  condensed consolidated financial statements
reflect  all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) which
are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the interim
periods'  results.  These  financial statements have been prepared in accordance
with  the  instructions  to  Form  10-Q  and therefore do not include all of the
information  or footnotes necessary for a complete presentation.  They should be
read  in conjunction with the Company's audited financial statements included as
part of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 29, 2000 filed
with  the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Due to the seasonal nature of the
Company's  business,  the results of operations for the first nine months of the
year  are  not  indicative  of the results of operations on an annualized basis.

2.     Basic  net  income  per  share is based on the weighted average number of
shares  of  Class A Common Stock and Common Stock outstanding during the period.
Diluted  net  income  per  share  includes the dilutive effect of stock options.
Options  to  purchase  560,500  and 885,000 shares of common stock for the three
months  ended  October  28,  2000  and October 30, 1999, respectively, at prices
ranging  from  $19.73 to $30.25 per share for both periods, were outstanding but
were  not  included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the
options'  exercise  prices  were  greater  than  the average market price of the
common  shares  for  the  respective  periods.  Options  to purchase 560,500 and
270,000  shares  of  Common  Stock,  at prices ranging from $19.73 to $30.25 per
share  and  from  $25.00  to $30.25, respectively, were outstanding for the nine
months  ended  October 28, 2000 and October 30, 1999, respectively, but were not
included  in  the computation of diluted earnings per share because the options'
exercise  prices were greater than the average market price of the common shares
for  the  respective  nine  months.

3.     In June 2000, the Company completed its reincorporation from the State of
Delaware  to  the  State  of Florida through a merger transaction. In accordance
with  generally  accepted  accounting  principles,  the  merger  and  resulting
reincorporation  have  been  accounted for as a reorganization of entities under
common control at historical cost in a manner similar to a pooling of interests.
Under this accounting method the assets and liabilities of the combined entities
have  been  carried  forward  at  their  recorded  historical  book  values.

4.     In  February  2000, the Company completed its acquisition of Cleopatre, a
privately  held 42 store fashion accessory chain with its headquarters in Paris,
France.  The  transaction  was  accounted for as a purchase.  The purchase price
was approximately $11 million.  The excess purchase price over fair market value
of the underlying assets was allocated to goodwill, which will be amortized over
twenty-five  years.

5.     The  following  unaudited pro forma financial information gives effect to
the  acquisition  of  Afterthoughts  as  if it had occurred on February 1, 1998.
This  unaudited  pro  forma  financial  information  includes the effects of (a)
amortization of goodwill; (b) the interest expense, net impact of the funds used
and  borrowed to consummate the acquisition and (c) the federal and state income
taxes  relating  to  the  other adjustments at a combined statutory rate of 38%.

Prior  to  the acquisition, Afterthoughts operated as a division of subsidiaries
of  the  Venator  Group,  Inc.  ("Venator") and certain overhead costs and other
expenses were allocated to Afterthoughts by Venator.  Accordingly, the unaudited
pro forma financial information includes such overhead costs and other expenses.

The  unaudited  pro forma financial information may not be comparable to and may
not  be  indicative  of  the  Company's  results of operations subsequent to the
acquisition because Afterthoughts was not under common control or management and
had  different  capital  structures  during  the  periods  presented.


                                        6
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      THREE MONTHS ENDED            NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                       OCTOBER 30, 1999              OCTOBER 30, 1999
                                      ------------------           ------------------

                                            (In thousands, except for share data)
<S>                                       <C>                           <C>

Net Sales                                 $226,783                      $685,662
Income before taxes                         13,558                        64,813
Net income                                   8,750                        41,000
Earnings per common share, basic              0.17                          0.81
Earnings per common share, diluted            0.17                          0.79
</TABLE>


ITEM 2.          MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
                 RESULTS  OF  OPERATIONS.

RESULTS  OF  OPERATIONS

Net  sales  for  the  three  months  and  nine  months  ended  October 28, 2000,
respectively,  increased  approximately  35% and 36% over the comparable periods
ended  October 30, 1999. The increase for the three month and nine month periods
resulted  primarily  from  the  addition  of  a  net  848  stores (including 635
Afterthoughts  stores, net of closings to date, acquired in December 1999 and 42
Cleopatre stores acquired in February 2000) and by the same-store sales increase
of  6% for the quarter.  Same-store sales for the nine months were even with the
prior  year's comparable period.  Same-store sales results for the Afterthoughts
stores  will  be  included  in  the  Company's  Accessory  Division  for periods
beginning  December  1, 2000.  These same-store sales results are expected to be
below  those  of  the  Claire's  Accessories  stores  due to a number of factors
relating  primarily  to  the  difficult  process  of  integrating Afterthoughts'
operation  into  Claire's.

Cost of sales, occupancy and buying expenses increased 38% and 41% for the three
months and nine months ended October 28, 2000, respectively, over the comparable
periods  ended October 30, 1999.  The principal reason for this increase was the
rise  in  the  number  of  stores  and  the  volume  of  merchandise sold.  As a
percentage  of  net  sales,  these  expenses  were 51.5% and 52.1% for the three
months and nine months ended October 28, 2000, respectively, and 50.7% and 49.9%
for  the  comparable periods ended October 30, 1999.  Rent, rent support and the
cost  of  the  merchandising  department,  which are relatively fixed in nature,
increased  approximately  60  basis points as a percentage of sales.  Due to the
same-store  sales being even with the comparable period in the prior year in the
nine  months  ended  October  28,  2000,  rent, rent support and the cost of the
merchandising  department  increased  approximately  145  basis  points  as  a
percentage  of  sales.  Additionally,  cost  of  merchandise  increased 75 basis
points  as a percentage of sales, primarily due to the additional costs incurred
related  to  the  transitional  services  provided  to the Afterthoughts stores.

Selling,  general  and administrative expenses, as a percentage of sales for the
three  months  and  nine  months  ended  October  28, 2000 were 34.3% and 35.1%,
respectively,  compared  to  35.5%  and  34.3%  for the comparable periods ended
October  30,  1999.  The  decrease  as a percentage of sales for the three month
period  was  caused  primarily  by  leverage  in  fixed corporate expenses.  The
increase  for  the  nine  month  period  as  a percentage of sales was primarily
attributable  to  the  redundant  costs  related  to  the  integration  of  the
Afterthoughts  division's  operations.  The  Company has substantially completed
its  integration of Afterthoughts as it relates to store operations, payroll and
human  resources,  merchandising,  planning  and  distribution,  accounting  and
finance, real estate and construction and MIS.  Throughout the remainder of this
year,  the  Company  will  continue its efforts on the integration of marketing,
field operations and the communication of best practices among divisions.  Sales
and SG&A were adversely affected as a result of these integration efforts during
the  first nine months of this fiscal year.  It has been the Company's objective
to  close  a  number of underperforming or duplicative Afterthoughts stores.  To
date, 133 stores have been closed or leases not renewed, resulting in 635 stores
remaining at October 28, 2000.  Approximately 80 additional stores are scheduled
to  close  by  February  3,  2001.


                                        7
<PAGE>
Depreciation  and  amortization  as a percentage of sales was approximately 4.5%
for  the  three  and nine months ended October 28, 2000, as compared to 3.8% and
3.6%  for the three months and nine months ended October 30, 1999, respectively.
The  increase as a percentage of sales for the three month period is a result of
an  increase in amortization of goodwill on the acquisition of the Afterthoughts
and  Cleopatre  stores.

Interest  expense, net of interest income, totaled $2,674,000 and $7,016,000 for
the  three  and  nine  months  ended October 28, 2000, respectively, compared to
interest  income,  net  of interest expense of $1,574,000 and $4,566,000 for the
comparable  periods  ended  October  30,  1999,  respectively.  This  change was
primarily  due  to the interest expense on borrowings under the Company's credit
facility,  which were to substantially fund the acquisition of the Afterthoughts
stores.

Gain  on  investments totaled $3,929,000 and represents the net realized gain on
investments  for  the  period  during  the  nine  months ended October 30, 1999.

Inflation  has  not  affected  the Company as it has generally been able to pass
along  inflationary  increases  in  its  costs  through  increased sales prices.

LIQUIDITY  AND  CAPITAL  RESOURCES

Net  cash  decreased  $53.3  million for the nine months ended October 28, 2000.
This decrease was caused primarily by  the acquisition of property and equipment
totaling  $29.1 million, the acquisition of Cleopatre of $9.5 million, dividends
paid  of  $5.9  million  and the Company's repurchase of 2,166,200 shares of its
common  stock  in  the  open market for $41.8 million.  These cash outflows were
offset  by  cash  flow  from operations and changes in other asset and liability
accounts.

Inventory at October 28, 2000 increased 32% compared to the inventory balance at
the  end  of  the  Company's  January  29,  2000  fiscal  year.  The increase is
attributable to a net increase of 50 stores in the nine months ended October 28,
2000  and  the  additional  merchandise  needed  to  maintain  the current sales
momentum  as  the  Company  prepares  for  the  holiday  selling  season.

The  Company  opened  177  stores  in the nine months ended October 28, 2000 and
remodeled  128  stores.

In  connection  with  the acquisition of Afterthoughts, the Company entered into
the  Credit  Facility pursuant to which it financed $200 million of the purchase
price.  The  Credit  Facility  includes  a  $40 million revolving line of credit
which  matures  on  December 1, 2004 and a $175 million five year term loan, the
first  installment  of which is due and payable beginning December 31, 2000 with
future  installments,  thereafter, payable on a quarterly basis through December
1,  2004.  The  Credit Facility is prepayable without penalty and bears interest
for  an  initial six months at 125 basis points margin over the London Interbank
Borrowing Rate.  The margin is then adjusted periodically based on the Company's
performance  as  it  relates  to  certain  financial  measurements.

The  Credit  Facility  contains  covenants  including,  but  not  limited  to,
limitations  on investments, dividends and other restricted payments, incurrence
of  additional  debt  and  acquisitions,  as well as various financial covenants
customary  for  transactions  of  this  type.  These financial covenants include
current  ratio,  fixed  charge  coverage  ratio and current leverage ratio.  The
Company  was  in  compliance  with  these  covenants  at  October  28,  2000.

The  Company  believes  that internally generated funds and borrowings available
under  its  credit  agreements  will be sufficient to meet its current operating
needs  and  its  presently  anticipated  capital  expenditures.


                                        8
<PAGE>
RECENT  DEVELOPMENTS

Sales  for  the  four weeks ended November 25, 2000 increased 21% to $77,095,000
compared  with  $63,811,000  reported  for  the  comparable  prior  year period.
Same-store  sales  decreased  3%  for  the  month.

If  the  sales trends as of December 9, 2000 continue, the Company believes that
consolidated  net  income  and earnings per share for the fourth quarter will be
below  those  of  the  prior  year's  fourth  quarter.

SPECIAL  NOTE  REGARDING  FORWARD-LOOKING  STATEMENTS

The  Company  and its representatives may from time to time make oral or written
"forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Reform
Act  of  1995 (the "Reform Act"), including any statements that may be contained
in  the  foregoing  "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and  Results  of  Operations,"  in  this  report  and  in other filings with the
Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  and in its reports to stockholders, which
represent  the  Company's  expectations or beliefs with respect to future events
and  future financial performance.  These forward-looking statements are subject
to  certain  risks  and  uncertainties.  Important  factors  currently  known to
management  that  could  cause actual results to differ materially from those in
forward-looking statements are set forth in the safe harbor compliance statement
for  forward-looking  statements in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the  year  ended  January 29, 2000, and that statement is hereby incorporated by
reference  in  this  Form  10-Q.


ITEM  6.  EXHIBITS  AND  REPORTS  ON  FORM  8-K

      (a)  Exhibits

           27     Financial  Data  Schedule  (for  SEC  use  only)

           99.1     Press  Release  of  the  Company  dated  November  16,  2000

      (b)  Reports  on  Form  8-K

           None


                                        9
<PAGE>


                                   SIGNATURE
                                   ---------



Pursuant  to  the  requirements  of  the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934, the
registrant  has  duly  caused  this  report  to  be  signed on its behalf by the
undersigned  thereunto  duly  authorized.



                                                   CLAIRE'S  STORES,  INC.
                                                   -----------------------
                                                   (Registrant)




Date:  December 12, 2000                          /s/ Ira D. Kaplan
                                                  -----------------------
                                                  Ira D. Kaplan
                                                  Senior  Vice  President
                                                  and  Chief  Financial
                                                  Officer

                                                  (Mr.  Kaplan  is  the Senior
                                                  Vice President and Chief
                                                  Financial Officer and has
                                                  been  duly  authorized  to
                                                  sign  on  behalf  of  the
                                                  registrant)


                                       10
<PAGE>