1 FOLEY, HOAG & ELIOT LLP Exhibit 5.1 ONE POST OFFICE SQUARE BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02109-2170 TELEPHONE 617-832-1000 1615 L STREET, N.W., SUITE 850 FACSIMILE 617-832-7000 WASHINGTON, D.C. 20036 http://www.fhe.com TEL: 202-775-0600 FAX: 202-857-0140 May 28, 1998 DM Management Company 25 Recreation Park Drive Hingham, Massachusetts 02043 Ladies and Gentlemen: We are familiar with the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the "S-8 Registration Statement") filed today by DM Management Company, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The S-8 Registration Statement relates to the proposed offering by the Company of 400,000 shares (the "Shares") of its Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share ("Common Stock"), issuable pursuant to the Company's 1993 Incentive and Nonqualified Stock Option Plan, as amended (the "1993 Stock Option Plan"). In arriving at the opinion expressed below, we have examined and relied on the following documents: (1) the Restated Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws of the Company, each as amended as of the date hereof; (2) the records of all meetings and consents of the Board of Directors and stockholders of the Company relating to the 1993 Stock Option Plan and the Shares; and (3) the 1993 Stock Option Plan. In addition, we have examined and relied on the originals or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction of all such corporate records of the Company and such other instruments and other certificates of public officials, officers and representatives of the Company and such other persons, and we have made such investigations of law, as we have deemed appropriate as a basis for the opinion expressed below. 2 DM Management Company May 28, 1998 Page 2 Based upon the foregoing, it is our opinion that: 1. The Company has corporate power adequate for the issuance of the Shares in accordance with the S-8 Registration Statement. The Company has taken all necessary corporate action required to authorize the issuance and sale of the Shares. When certificates for the Shares have been duly executed and countersigned, and delivered against due receipt of the exercise price for the Shares as described in the options relating thereto and the 1993 Stock Option Plan, the Shares will be legally issued, fully paid and non-assessable. We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the S-8 Registration Statement. Very truly yours, FOLEY, HOAG & ELIOT LLP By /s/ David R. Pierson -------------------------------- A Partner