EXHIBIT 5.1

                           [JENKENS & GILCHRIST LETTERHEAD]



                                                             December 12, 1996


Pillowtex Corporation
4111 Mint Way
Dallas, Texas 75237

Ladies and Gentlemen:

    This opinion is being delivered in connection with the proposed offer to
exchange (the "Exchange Offer") by Pillowtex Corporation (the "Issuer") its 10%
Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2006 (the "Exchange Notes") for any and all of its
10% Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2006 (the "Old Notes").  The Exchange Notes
are to be issued pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-4 (the
"Registration Statement"), Registration No. 333-______, filed by the Issuer on
or about December 12, 1996 with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the
Securities Act of 1933.  The Exchange Notes will be issued under an Indenture,
dated as of November 12, 1996 (the "Indenture"), among the Issuer, certain of
its subsidiaries and Bank One, Columbus, N.A. as Trustee (the "Trustee"), in
substantially the form filed as Exhibit 4.1.

    We are of the opinion that, when (a) the Indenture, under which the
Exchange Notes will be issued has been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act
of 1939, as amended, (b) the Exchange Notes have been executed by the Issuer and
(c) the Exchange Notes have been delivered in exchange for the Old Notes in the
manner and for the consideration stated in the Registration Statement and the
Indenture, the Exchange Notes will be legally issued and binding obligations of
the Issuer.

    We note for you that certain matters relating to the legal issuance and
binding effect of the Exchange Notes are governed by New York law.  We are
licensed to practice law only in the State of Texas.  For purposes of rendering
such opinions governed by New York law, we have assumed, with your consent, that
the laws of the State of New York and the State of Texas are identical with
respect to such matters.



    We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5.1 to the
Registration Statement and to the use of our name under the caption "Legal
Matters" in the registration Statement and in the Prospectus included therein. 
In giving such consent, we do not admit that we come within the category of
persons whose consent is required by Section 7 of the Act or the rules and
regulations of the Commission thereunder.

                                       Very truly yours,

                                       /s/

                                       JENKENS & GILCHRIST,
                                       A Professional Corporation