June 5, 1998

Bernard Chaus, Inc
1410 Broadway
New York, New York  10018

Ladies and Gentlemen:

                  On the date hereof, Bernard Chaus, Inc., a New York
corporation (the "Company"), intends to transmit for filing with the Securities
and Exchange Commission a Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration
Statement") relating to 2,711,591 shares (the "Shares") of common stock, par
value $.01 per share, of the Company ("Common Stock"), that may be issued from
time to time upon the exercise of options granted pursuant to the Bernard
Chaus, Inc. 1998 Stock Option Plan (the "1998 Plan"). This opinion is an
exhibit to the Registration Statement.

                  We have at times acted as counsel to the Company with respect
to certain corporate and securities matters and, in such capacity, we are
familiar with the various corporate and other proceedings taken by or on behalf
of the Company with respect to the proposed offer and sale of the Shares as
contemplated by the Registration Statement. However, we are not general counsel
to the Company and would not ordinarily be familiar with or aware of matters
relating to the Company unless they are brought to our attention by
representatives of the Company. We have examined copies of the Company's
Certificate of Incorporation, its by-laws as presently in effect, minutes of
meetings of its directors, stockholders and committees and such other documents
and instruments relating to the Company and the proposed offering of the Shares
as we have deem necessary under the circumstances, in each case signed,
certified or otherwise proven to our satisfaction to be genuine. In our
examination of all such agreements, documents, certificates and instruments, we
have assumed the genuineness of all signatures and the authenticity of all
agreements, documents, certificates and instruments submitted to us as
originals and the conformity with the originals of all agreements, instruments,
documents and certificates submitted to us as copies. Insofar as this opinion
relates to securities to be issued in the future, we have assumed that all
applicable laws, rules and regulations in effect at the time of such issuance
are the same as such laws, rules and regulations in effect as of the date
hereof.

                  Based on the foregoing, and subject to and in reliance on the
accuracy and completeness of the information relevant thereto provided to us,
it is our opinion that the Shares to be issued upon the exercise of options
granted pursuant to the 1998 Plan have been duly authorized and (subject to the
effectiveness of the Registration Statement and compliance with applicable
state securities laws), when issued in accordance with the terms of the 1998
Plan and any option




Bernard Chaus, Inc.
June 5, 1998
Page 2

agreements executed pursuant thereto, will be legally and validly issued, fully
paid and non-assessable.

                  It should be understood that nothing in this opinion is
intended to apply to any disposition of any Shares which any participant in the
1998 Plan might propose to make.

                  We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit
to the Registration Statement and as an exhibit to any filing made by the
Company under the securities or "Blue Sky" laws of any state.

                  This opinion is furnished to you in connection with the
filing of the Registration Statement, and is not to be used, circulated, quoted
or otherwise relied upon for any other purpose, except as expressly provided in
the preceding paragraph, without our express written consent, and no party
other than you is entitled to rely on it. This opinion is rendered to you as of
the date hereof and we undertake no obligation to advise you of any change,
whether legal or factual, after the date hereof.

                                                     Very truly yours,



                                    SHEREFF, FRIEDMAN, HOFFMAN & GOODMAN, LLP


SFH&G, LLP:RAG:GA:AMF