INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S CONSENT                                       Exhibit 23.1



We consent to the  incorporation by reference in this  Post-Effective  Amendment
No. 2 to Registration  Statement No. 333-31813 of The Wet Seal, Inc. on Form S-8
of our report dated March 12 1999,  appearing in the Annual  Report on Form 10-K
of The Wet Seal,  Inc. for the year ended January 30, 1999, and to the reference
to us under  the  heading  "Experts"  in the  Prospectus,  which is part of such
Registration Statement.



/S/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
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DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Costa Mesa, California
April 26, 1999