FIRST AMENDMENT TO
                           CREDIT AGREEMENT AND WAIVER


        THIS FIRST AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT AND WAIVER (hereinafter, the
"Amendment") is entered into as of August 27, 1998 among PLUMA, INC., a North
Carolina corporation (the "Borrower") and NATIONSBANK, N.A., as Agent for and on
behalf of the Lenders (the "Agent"). Capitalized terms used herein and not
otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings given to them in the
Credit Agreement.

                                    RECITALS

        WHEREAS, the Borrower, the Agent and the Lenders are parties to that
certain Credit Agreement dated as of April 23, 1998 (as amended, modified,
supplemented, extended or restated from time to time, the "Credit Agreement");

        WHEREAS, Events of Default currently exist under the Credit Agreement
(the "Existing Defaults") as a result of the failure of the Credit Parties to
comply as of the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 1998 with the terms of Section
7.11(b) of the Credit Agreement, Section 7.11(d) of the Credit Agreement and
Section 7.11(e) of the Credit Agreement;

        WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested that the Lenders provide a limited
waiver of the Existing Defaults and continue to make available to the Borrower
the Loans provided under the Credit Agreement; and

        WHEREAS, the Lenders are willing to provide a limited waiver of the
Existing Defaults and continue to make available to the Borrower the Loans,
based upon and subject to the terms and conditions specified in this Amendment
and, in connection therewith, the Required Lenders have directed the Agent to
execute this Amendment.

        NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual
covenants contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto
agree as follows:

        1. Reaffirmation of Existing Debt. The Credit Parties acknowledge and
confirm (a) that the Agent, on behalf of the Lenders, has a valid and
enforceable first priority perfected security interest in the Collateral, (b)
that the Borrower's obligation to repay the outstanding principal amount of the
Loans and reimburse the Issuing Lender for any drawing on a Letter of Credit is
unconditional and not subject to any offsets, defenses or counterclaims, (c)
that the Agent and the Lenders have performed fully all of their respective
obligations under the Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents, and (d)
by entering into this Amendment, the Lenders do not waive (except for the
limited waiver of the Existing Defaults) or release any term or condition of the
Credit Agreement or any of the other Credit Documents or any of their rights or
remedies under such Credit Documents or applicable law or any of the obligations
of any Credit Party thereunder.

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        2. Limited Waiver. The Borrower acknowledges that it is not in
compliance with the financial covenants contained in Section 7.11(b), Section
7.11(d) and Section 7.11(e) of the Credit Agreement (the "Existing Defaults").
The Lenders hereby waive the Existing Defaults for the period from June 30, 1998
through September 29, 1998, subject to the terms and conditions set forth
herein. This limited waiver shall not modify or affect (a) the Borrower's
obligation to comply with Section 7.11(b), Section 7.11(d) and Section 7.11(e)
on and at all times after September 30, 1998 and (b) the Borrower's obligation
to comply fully with any other duty, term, condition or covenant contained in
the Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents. Nothing herein contained
shall be deemed to constitute a waiver of any rights or remedies the Agent or
any Lender may have under the Credit Agreement or any other Credit Documents or
under applicable law.

        3. New Definition. The following definition is hereby added to Section
1.1 of the Credit Agreement:

               "NEW CONSULTANT" SHALL HAVE THE MEANING PROVIDED SUCH TERM IN
SECTION 7.19 HEREOF.

        4.     Amended Definitions.

               (a) The definition of "Applicable Percentage" set forth in
        Section 1.1 of the Credit Agreement is amended and restated in its
        entirety to read as follows:

                      "APPLICABLE PERCENTAGE" MEANS, FOR PURPOSES OF CALCULATING
               (I) THE APPLICABLE INTEREST RATE FOR ANY REVOLVING LOAN OR ANY
               TERM LOAN, (A) FOR EURODOLLAR LOANS, 3.75% THROUGH AND INCLUDING
               SEPTEMBER 21, 1998 AND 3.50% AT ALL TIMES AFTER SEPTEMBER 21,
               1998 AND (B) FOR BASE RATE LOANS, 1.00% THROUGH AND INCLUDING
               SEPTEMBER 21, 1998 AND .75% AT ALL TIMES AFTER SEPTEMBER 21,
               1998, (II) THE APPLICABLE RATE OF THE UNUSED FEE FOR ANY DAY FOR
               PURPOSES OF SECTION 3.5(B), .375% AND (C) THE APPLICABLE RATE FOR
               THE LETTER OF CREDIT FEE FOR ANY DAY, 3.50%.

               (b) The definition of "Borrowing Base" set forth in Section 1.1
        of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety
        to read as follows:

                      "BORROWING BASE" MEANS, AS OF ANY DAY, THE SUM OF (A) 85%
               OF ELIGIBLE RECEIVABLES, (B) 60% OF ELIGIBLE INVENTORY, IN EACH
               CASE AS SET FORTH IN THE MOST RECENT BORROWING BASE CERTIFICATE
               DELIVERED TO THE AGENT AND THE LENDERS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
               TERMS OF SECTION 7.1(C) AND (C) DURING THE PERIOD (I) FROM AND
               INCLUDING AUGUST 27, 1998 THROUGH AND INCLUDING SEPTEMBER 11,
               1998, $4,000,000, (II) FROM AND INCLUDING SEPTEMBER 12, 1998
               THROUGH AND INCLUDING SEPTEMBER 21, 1998, $2,000,000, AND (III)
               AFTER SEPTEMBER 21, 1998, $0.


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        5. Minimum Amounts. Section 2.1(b)(ii) of the Credit Agreement is hereby
amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

                      "(II) MINIMUM AMOUNTS. EACH EURODOLLAR LOAN THAT IS A
               REVOLVING LOAN SHALL BE IN A MINIMUM AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT
               OF $2,000,000 AND INTEGRAL MULTIPLES OF $500,000 IN EXCESS
               THEREOF (OR THE REMAINING AMOUNT OF THE REVOLVING COMMITTED
               AMOUNTS, IF LESS) AND EACH BASE RATE LOAN THAT IS A REVOLVING
               LOAN SHALL BE IN A MINIMUM AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF $500,000
               AND INTEGRAL MULTIPLES OF $100,000 IN EXCESS THEREOF (OR THE
               REMAINING AMOUNT OF THE REVOLVING COMMITMENT, IF LESS).

        6. Voluntary Prepayments. Section 3.3(a) of the Credit Agreement is
hereby amended to provide that partial prepayments of Loans (other than
Swingline Loans) shall be in a minimum principal amount of $2,000,000 and
integral multiples of $100,000 in excess thereof.

        7. Year 2000 Compliance. A new Section 6.25 is hereby added to the
Credit Agreement and shall read as follows:

               6.25   YEAR 2000 COMPLIANCE.

                      EACH CREDIT PARTY HAS (I) INITIATED A REVIEW AND
               ASSESSMENT OF ALL AREAS WITHIN ITS AND EACH OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES'
               BUSINESS AND OPERATIONS THAT COULD REASONABLY BE EXPECTED TO BE
               ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY THE "YEAR 2000 PROBLEM" (THAT IS, THE RISK
               THAT COMPUTER APPLICATIONS USED BY SUCH CREDIT PARTY OR ANY OF
               ITS SUBSIDIARIES MAY BE UNABLE TO RECOGNIZE AND PERFORM PROPERLY
               DATE-SENSITIVE FUNCTIONS INVOLVING CERTAIN DATES PRIOR TO AND ANY
               DATE AFTER DECEMBER 31, 1999), (II) DEVELOPED A PLAN AND TIMELINE
               FOR ADDRESSING THE YEAR 2000 PROBLEM ON A TIMELY BASIS, AND (III)
               TO DATE, IMPLEMENTED THAT PLAN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TIMETABLE.
               BASED ON THE FOREGOING, EACH CREDIT PARTY BELIEVES THAT ALL
               COMPUTER APPLICATIONS THAT ARE MATERIAL TO ITS AND ANY OF ITS
               SUBSIDIARIES' BUSINESS AND OPERATIONS ARE REASONABLY EXPECTED ON
               A TIMELY BASIS TO BE ABLE TO PERFORM PROPERLY DATE-SENSITIVE
               FUNCTIONS FOR ALL DATES BEFORE AND AFTER JANUARY 1, 2000 (THAT
               IS, BE "YEAR 2000 COMPLIANT"), EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT A
               FAILURE TO DO SO COULD NOT REASONABLY BE EXPECTED TO HAVE
               MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT.

        8. Financial Statements. Section 7.1(b) of the Credit Agreement is
hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

               (B) MONTHLY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. AS SOON AS AVAILABLE, AND IN
               ANY EVENT WITHIN 30 DAYS AFTER THE CLOSE OF EACH CALENDAR MONTH
               (I) A CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND INCOME STATEMENT OF THE
               CONSOLIDATED PARTIES, AS OF THE END OF SUCH CALENDAR MONTH,
               TOGETHER WITH RELATED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND
               RETAINED EARNINGS AND OF CASH FLOWS FOR SUCH CALENDAR MONTH IN
               EACH CASE SETTING FORTH IN COMPARATIVE

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               FORM CONSOLIDATED FIGURES FOR THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD OF THE
               PRECEDING FISCAL YEAR AND (II) A CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET AND
               INCOME STATEMENT OF THE BORROWER AND ITS MATERIAL SUBSIDIARIES,
               AS OF THE END OF SUCH CALENDAR MONTH, TOGETHER WITH RELATED
               CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND RETAINED EARNINGS AND
               OF CASH FLOWS FOR SUCH CALENDAR MONTH, IN EACH CASE SETTING FORTH
               IN COMPARATIVE FORM CONSOLIDATING FIGURES FOR THE CORRESPONDING
               PERIOD OF THE PRECEDING FISCAL YEAR, ALL SUCH FINANCIAL
               INFORMATION DESCRIBED ABOVE TO BE IN REASONABLE FORM AND DETAIL
               AND REASONABLY ACCEPTABLE TO THE AGENT, AND ACCOMPANIED BY A
               CERTIFICATE OF THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER OF THE BORROWER TO THE
               EFFECT THAT SUCH MONTHLY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FAIRLY PRESENT IN
               ALL MATERIAL RESPECTS THE FINANCIAL CONDITION OF THE CONSOLIDATED
               PARTIES OR THE BORROWER AND ITS MATERIAL SUBSIDIARIES, AS
               APPLICABLE, AND HAVE BEEN PREPARED IN ACCORDANCE WITH GAAP,
               SUBJECT TO CHANGES RESULTING FROM AUDIT AND NORMAL YEAR-END AUDIT
               ADJUSTMENTS. THE BORROWER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT SUCH
               MONTHLY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SHALL BE USED TO TEST THE FINANCIAL
               COVENANTS CONTAINED IN SECTION 7.11.

        9. Borrowing Base Certificate. The following sentence is hereby added at
the end of Section 7.1(e) of the Credit Agreement and shall read as follows:

               FURTHERMORE, THE BORROWER AGREES TO PROVIDE ON EACH BUSINESS DAY
               TO THE AGENT AND EACH OF THE LENDERS A BORROWING BASE CERTIFICATE
               AS OF SUCH BUSINESS DAY SUBSTANTIALLY IN THE FORM OF EXHIBIT
               7.1(E)(II) AND CERTIFIED BY THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER OF THE
               BORROWER TO BE TRUE AND CORRECT AS OF THE DATE THEREOF.

        10. PLAN OF ACTION; CASH FORECAST. NEW SECTIONS 7.1(O) AND 7.1(P) ARE
HEREBY ADDED TO THE CREDIT AGREEMENT AND SHALL READ AS FOLLOWS:

               (O) PLAN OF ACTION. ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 21, 1998, THE BORROWER
               SHALL PROVIDE THE AGENT WITH A DETAILED REPORT (IN FORM AND
               SUBSTANCE SATISFACTORY TO THE AGENT) OUTLINING ITS PLAN OF ACTION
               (INCLUDING A TIMETABLE FOR SUCH PLAN) FOR THOSE MATTERS
               IDENTIFIED ON SCHEDULE 7.1(O) ATTACHED HERETO.

               (P) CASH FORECAST. THE BORROWER WILL DELIVER EVERY OTHER WEEK (BY
               NO LATER THAN WEDNESDAY OF SUCH WEEK) TO THE AGENT AND EACH OF
               THE LENDERS A CASH FORECAST SUBSTANTIALLY IN THE FORM OF EXHIBIT
               7.1(P). THE PARTIES HERETO AGREE THAT THE BORROWER'S CASH
               FORECAST AS OF AUGUST 24, 1998 IS AS ATTACHED HERETO AS EXHIBIT
               7.1(P).


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        11. Audit/Inspections. The last sentence of Section 7.10 of the Credit
Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

        THE CREDIT PARTIES AGREE THAT THE AGENT, AND ITS REPRESENTATIVES, MAY
        CONDUCT A QUARTERLY AUDIT OF THE COLLATERAL, AT THE EXPENSE OF THE
        BORROWER. IT IS UNDERSTOOD AND AGREED THAT THE FIRST SUCH AUDIT SHALL BE
        CONDUCTED IN SEPTEMBER, 1998.

        12. Business Consultant. A new Section 7.19 is hereby added to the
Credit Agreement and shall read as follows:

               7.19 BUSINESS CONSULTANT. THE BORROWER HAS PREVIOUSLY RETAINED
        NORELLI AND COMPANY ("N&C") AS A BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL CONSULTANT FOR
        THE BORROWER. IMMEDIATELY UPON OBTAINING APPROVAL FROM ITS BOARD OF
        DIRECTORS, THE BORROWER WILL MAKE AVAILABLE TO THE LENDERS FROM TIME TO
        TIME APPROPRIATE REPRESENTATIVES OF N&C TO REVIEW AND DISCUSS WITH THE
        LENDERS THE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE BY N&C TO THE BORROWER
        (INCLUDING MAKING AVAILABLE TO THE LENDERS COPIES OF ALL WRITTEN
        MATERIALS PROVIDED BY N&C TO THE BORROWER). THE LENDERS MAY ELECT TO
        ENGAGE, AT THE EXPENSE OF THE BORROWER, A THIRD PARTY EXPERT TO REVIEW
        ON BEHALF OF THE LENDERS THE INFORMATION PREPARED BY N&C. THE BORROWER
        COVENANTS AND AGREES THAT, IF REQUESTED BY THE REQUIRED LENDERS, THE
        BORROWER WILL IMMEDIATELY HIRE AN ADDITIONAL BUSINESS CONSULTANT
        SATISFACTORY TO THE AGENT IN THE AGENT'S REASONABLE DISCRETION (THE "NEW
        CONSULTANT"). THE EXACT SCOPE OF THE NEW CONSULTANT'S SERVICES SHALL BE
        AGREED UPON BY THE BORROWER AND THE NEW CONSULTANT, BUT MUST BE
        SATISFACTORY TO THE AGENT IN THE AGENT'S REASONABLE DISCRETION. IF
        REQUIRED TO BE RETAINED PURSUANT TO THE TERMS HEREOF THE BORROWER SHALL
        CAUSE THE NEW CONSULTANT (I) TO MEET PERIODICALLY WITH THE AGENT AT ITS
        REASONABLE REQUEST TO REPORT UPON THE NEW CONSULTANT'S FINDINGS AND
        RECOMMENDATIONS AND (II) TO MEET WITH THE LENDERS TO REPORT ON THE NEW
        CONSULTANT'S FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS. THE BORROWER SHALL PAY ALL
        COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH ITS RETENTION OF THE NEW CONSULTANT. THE BORROWER
        SHALL NOT TERMINATE THE NEW CONSULTANT'S SERVICES, OR DENY THE NEW
        CONSULTANT ACCESS TO INFORMATION NECESSARY TO PERFORM ITS SERVICES
        WITHIN THE SCOPE OF ITS ENGAGEMENT, PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION OF SUCH
        ENGAGEMENT. ALL REPORTS AND INFORMATION PROVIDED BY N&A AND/OR THE NEW
        CONSULTANT TO THE AGENT OR THE LENDERS SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE
        CONFIDENTIALITY PROVISIONS OF SECTION 11.15 HEREOF.

        13. Exhibit 7.1(e)(ii). New Exhibits 7.1(e)(ii) and 7.1(p) are hereby
added to the Credit Agreement and shall read as Exhibit 7.1(e)(ii) and Exhibit
7.1(p) attached hereto.

        14. Schedule 7.1(o). A new Schedule 7.1(o) is hereby added to the Credit
Agreement and shall read as Schedule 7.1(o) attached hereto.

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        15. Conditions Precedent. The effectiveness of this Amendment is subject
to the satisfaction of each of the following conditions:

               (a) The Agent shall have received original duly executed
        counterparts of this Amendment duly executed by the Credit Parties and
        the Agent.

               (b) Payment by the Borrower (i) to the Agent for the pro rata
        benefit of the Lenders an amendment fee in an amount equal to $115,000
        and (ii) of all other costs and expenses heretofore incurred by the
        Agent, including without limitation legal fees and expenses, in
        connection with the negotiation, administration, amendment and
        enforcement of any of the Credit Documents.

               (c) The Agent shall have received such other documents and
        information as it deems reasonably necessary.

        16.    Miscellaneous.

               (a) The term "Credit Agreement" as used in each of the Credit
        Documents shall hereafter mean the Credit Agreement as amended by this
        Amendment. Except as herein specifically agreed, the Credit Agreement,
        and the obligations of the Credit Parties thereunder and under the other
        Credit Documents, are hereby ratified and confirmed and shall remain in
        full force and effect according to their terms.

               (b) The Borrower hereby represents and warrants as follows:

                      (i) It has taken all necessary action to authorize the
        execution, delivery and performance of this Amendment.

                      (ii) This Amendment has been duly executed and delivered
        by the Borrower and constitutes the Borrower's legal, valid and binding
        obligations, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as such
        enforceability may be subject to (i) bankruptcy, insolvency,
        reorganization, fraudulent conveyance or transfer, moratorium or similar
        laws affecting creditors' rights generally and (ii) general principles
        of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a
        proceeding at law or in equity).

                      (iii) No consent, approval, authorization or order of, or
        filing, registration or qualification with, any court or governmental
        authority or third party is required in connection with the execution,
        delivery or performance by the Borrower of this Amendment.

               (c) The Borrower represents and warrants to the Lenders that (i)
        except for the representation contained in Section 6.2(a) with respect
        to matters previously disclosed to the Lenders, the representations and
        warranties of the Credit Parties set forth in Section 6 of the

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        Credit Agreement are true and correct as of the date hereof and (ii) no
        unwaived event has occurred and is continuing which constitutes a
        Default or an Event of Default.

               (d) This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts,
        each of which when so executed and delivered shall be an original, but
        all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of
        an executed counterpart of this Amendment by telecopy shall be effective
        as an original and shall constitute a representation that an executed
        original shall be delivered.

               (e) THIS AMENDMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES
        HEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN
        ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF
        NORTH CAROLINA.

        Each of the parties hereto has caused a counterpart of this Amendment to
be duly executed and delivered as of the date first above written.

                                    PLUMA, INC.


                                    By:___________________________________
                                    Name:_________________________________
                                    Title:________________________________


                                    NATIONSBANK, N.A.,
                                    as Agent for and on behalf of
                                    the Lenders


                                    By:___________________________________
                                    Name:_________________________________
                                    Title:________________________________



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