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                                                               EXHIBIT NO. 10(u)


                                 JACLYN, INC.
                 1996 NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR STOCK OPTION PLAN
                      NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION CONTRACT
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         THIS NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION CONTRACT entered into as of the 3rd day
of December 1997, between JACLYN, INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Company")
and Albert Safer (the "Optionee").
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                                  WITNESSETH:
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         1.   The Company, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the
1996 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan of the Company (the "Plan"), grants
as of December 3, 1997 to the Optionee an option to purchase an aggregate of
2,000 shares of the Common Stock, $1.00 par value per share, of the Company
("Common Stock"), at $4.5625 per share, being 100% of the fair market value of
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such shares of Common Stock on such date.

         2.   The term of this option shall be 10 years, subject to earlier
termination as provided in the Plan. This option shall be exercisable
immediately as to 100% of the number of shares of Common Stock subject hereto;
provided, that this option shall not be exercisable at any time in an amount
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less than 100 shares (or the remaining shares covered hereby if less than 100
shares).

         3.   This option shall be exercised by giving written notice to the
Company at its principal office, presently 635 59th Street, West New York, New
Jersey 07093, Attention: Chief Financial Officer, stating that the Optionee is
exercising this option, specifying the number of shares being purchased and
accompanied by payment in full of the aggregate purchase price therefor (a) in
cash or by certified check, (b) with previously acquired shares of Common Stock
having an aggregate fair market value on the date of exercise (determined in
accordance with Article 5 of the Plan) equal to the aggregate exercise price of
all options being exercised, or (c) any combination of the foregoing. In
addition, the Optionee agrees to pay to the Company in cash, upon demand, the
amount, if any, which the Company determines is necessary to satisfy its
obligation to withhold federal, state and local income and other taxes or other
amounts incurred by reason of the grant or exercise of this option. In no event
may a fraction of a share of Common Stock be purchased hereunder.

         4.   Notwithstanding the foregoing, and without limiting the provisions
of Article II of the Plan, this option shall not be exercisable by the Optionee
unless (a) a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the "Securities Act") with respect to the shares of Common Stock issuable upon
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the exercise of this option shall be effective and current at the time of
exercise or (b) there is an exemption from registration under the Securities Act
for the issuance of such shares of Common Stock upon exercise. At the request of
the Board of Directors, the Optionee shall execute 
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and deliver to the Company representations and warranties, in form and substance
satisfactory to counsel to the Company, that the shares of Common Stock to be
issued upon the exercise of the option are being acquired by the Optionee for
his own account, for investment only and not with a view to the resale or
distribution thereof within the meaning of the Securities Act. Nothing herein
shall be construed so as to obligate the Company to register the shares subject
to this option under the Securities Act.

         5.   Nothing in the Plan or herein shall confer upon the Optionee any
right to continue as a director of the Company.

         6.   The Company may endorse such legends upon the certificates for
shares of Common Stock issued upon exercise of this option and may issue such
"stop transfer" instructions to its transfer agent in respect of such shares as
it determines, in its discretion, to be necessary or appropriate to prevent a
violation of, or to perfect an exemption from, the registration requirements of
the Securities Act.

         7.   The Company and the Optionee agree that they will both be subject
to and bound by all of the terms and conditions of the Plan, a copy of which is
attached hereto and made a part hereof In the event the Optionee is no longer a
director of the Company or in the event of his death or disability (as defined
in the Plan), his rights hereunder shall be governed by and be subject to the
provisions of the Plan. In the event of a conflict between the terms of this
Contract and the terms of the Plan, the terms of the Plan shall govern.

         8.   The Optionee represents and agrees that he will comply with all
applicable laws relating to the Plan and to the grant and exercise of this
option and the disposition of the shares of Common Stock acquired upon exercise
of this option, including without limitation, federal and state securities and
"blue sky" laws.

         9.   This option is not transferable otherwise than by will or the laws
of descent and distribution and may be exercised during the lifetime of the
Optionee only by him.

         10.  This Contract shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of
any successor or assign of the Company and to any heir, distributee, executor,
administrator or legal representative entitled under the Plan and by law to the
Optionee's rights hereunder.

         11.  This Contract shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the laws of the State of Delaware.

         12.  The invalidity or illegality of any provision herein shall not
affect the validity of any other provision.

         13.  The Optionee agrees that the Company may amend the Plan and the
options granted to the Optionee under the Plan, subject to the limitations
contained in the Plan.
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         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Contract as
of the day and year first above written.


                                         JACLYN, INC.


                                         By:  /s/ Robert Chestnov
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                                         Its: President


                                         Optionee   /s/ Albert Safer
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                                               876 Aztec Trail
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                                               Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417
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                                               Address

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                                               Tax Id. or Social Security No.