Exhibit 99.1

HAMPSHIRE GROUP, LIMITED
STOCK SYMBOL:     HAMP                                  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:          CHARLES W. CLAYTON
PHONE:            (864) 231-1211
FACSIMILE:        (864) 225-4421


            HAMPSHIRE GROUP, LIMITED ANNOUNCES FIRST QUARTER RESULTS


Anderson, SC, May 6, 2004...Hampshire Group, Limited (NASDAQ: HAMP) today
announced results for the three month period ended April 3, 2004. Net sales for
the three months were $54,397,000 compared with $51,167,000 for the same period
last year, an increase of 6.3%. Income from continuing operations was $147,000
or $0.03 per diluted share, compared with $711,000, or $0.15 per diluted share
in the first quarter of 2003. Net income for the quarter was $147,000, or $0.03
per diluted share, compared with $1,102,000, or $0.23 per diluted share in the
prior year.

Management reported that the increase in sales for the quarter, compared with
the prior year, was primarily a result of higher shipments of sweaters by
Designers Originals and related separates of Item-Eyes. Lower gross margins
resulted from continuation of difficult conditions in a highly competitive
retail marketplace and establishing a $1.2 million reserve for estimated
incremental customs costs related to importing merchandise from one of its
vendors.

Ludwig Kuttner, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "In addition to
market conditions, the Company is coping with uncertainty caused by the
expiration of the quota agreement at the end of 2004 and foreign currency
fluctuations relative to the dollar. The Company will continue to focus on
product quality and providing service and value to its customers."

Hampshire Group, Limited is a diversified apparel company, believed to be the
largest supplier of women's and men's sweaters in North America and a leading
supplier of women's related separates.
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          "Cautionary Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements"

This press release contains forward-looking statements, within the meaning of
the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, that reflect the Company's
current views with respect to future events. Such statements are subject to
certain risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ
materially from those projected. Readers are cautioned not to place undue
reliance on these forward-looking statements which speak only as of the date
hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to republish revised
forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date
hereof or to reflect the occurrences of unanticipated events. Readers are also
urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made by the
Company in its Form 10-K and other Security and Exchange Commission filings,
which attempt to advise interested parties of the factors which affect the
Company's business.



                          HAMPSHIRE GROUP, LIMITED
                      COMPARATIVE SUMMARY OF EARNINGS
                   (in thousands, except per share data)

                                                       April 3,     March 29,
QUARTER ENDED                                            2004         2003
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            
Net sales                                              $54,397       $51,167
                                                       -------       -------
Income from continuing
  operations                                              $147          $711
                                                       -------       -------
Income from discontinued
  operations                                               -            $391
                                                       -------       -------
Net income                                                $147        $1,102
                                                       -------       -------
Income per share from
  continuing operations:                Basic            $0.04         $0.15
                                                       -------       -------
                                        Diluted          $0.03         $0.15
                                                       -------       -------
Income per share from
  discontinued operations:              Basic             -            $0.08
                                                       -------       -------
                                        Diluted           -            $0.08
                                                       -------       -------
Net income per share:                   Basic            $0.04         $0.23
                                                       -------       -------
                                        Diluted          $0.03         $0.23
                                                       -------       -------
Weighted average shares
  outstanding:                          Basic            4,077         4,693
                                                       -------       -------
                                        Diluted          4,204         4,819
                                                       -------       -------