Exhibit 23.1



               Consent of Independent Certified Public Accountants



Alba-Waldensian, Inc.
Valdese, NC North Carolina


We  hereby  consent  to the  incorporation  by  reference  in  the  Registration
Statements  No.  333-58229  and No.  333-64299 on Form S-8 of our reports  dated
February 2, 1999 relating to the consolidated financial statements and schedules
of  Alba-Waldensian,  Inc.  included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 1998.



Greensboro, North Carolina                          BDO Seidman, LLP
March 30, 1999


<PAGE>
                                                                         (S-1)

               Report of Independent Certified Public Accountants
                         on Financial Statement Schedule



Alba-Waldensian, Inc.
Valdese, North Carolina


The audits referred to in our report dated February 2, 1999 relating to the
consolidated  financial  statements of  Alba-Waldensian,  Inc. and subsidiaries,
which  is  included  in Item 8 of the  Form  10-K  included  the  audits  of the
financial  statement  schedule listed in the accompanying  index. This financial
statement  schedule  is the  responsibility  of the  Company's  management.  Our
responsibility  is to express an opinion on this  financial  statement  schedu1e
based upon our audit.

In our  opinion,  the  financial  statement  schedule  presents  fairly,  in all
material respects, the information set forth therein.

Greensboro, North Carolina                         BDO Seidman, LLP
February 2, 1999

<PAGE>



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                    (S-2)
                                                                                                  Schedule II

                                                             Alba-Waldensian, Inc.
                                                                and Subsidiaries
                                                             Valdese, North Carolina


                                                      Valuation and Qualifying Accounts


                                              Balance at         Charged to         Reduction          Balance
              Description/                   Beginning of         Cost and             of               at End
            Fiscal Year Ended                   Period            Expenses          Allowance         of Period

Year Ended December 31, 1998
<S>                                                 <C>                  <C>               <C>              <C>

Accounts Receivable - Allowance                     $260,000             48,437            48,437           $260,000
 for uncollectible accounts

Inventory - Reserve for markdowns                 $1,695,293          2,132,384         2,464,248         $1,363,429


Year Ended December 31, 1997

Accounts Receivable - Allowance                     $275,000            102,877           117,877           $260,000
 for uncollectible accounts

Inventory - Reserve for markdowns                   $722,641          1,387,734           415,082         $1,695,293


Year Ended December 31, 1996

Accounts Receivable - Allowance                     $250,000            109,868            84,868           $275,000
 for uncollectible accounts

Inventory - Reserve for markdowns                   $610,504            754,106           641,969           $722,641

</TABLE>