1 EXHIBIT 23 REPORT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS ON FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE Ridgeview, Inc. Newton, North Carolina The audits referred to in our report dated March 13, 1998 relating to the consolidated financial statements of Ridgeview, Inc. and Subsidiaries, which is incorporated in Item 14 of Form 10-K by reference to the annual report to stockholders for the year ended December 31, 1997, included the audit of the financial statement schedule listed in the accompanying index. This financial statement schedule is the responsibility of the company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on this financial statement schedule based upon our audits. In our opinion such financial statement schedule presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein. /s/ BDO Seidman, LLP Greensboro, North Carolina BDO Seidman, LLP March 13, 1998 2 EXHIBIT 23 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS Ridgeview, Inc. Newton, North Carolina We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement No. 333-29109 on Form S-8 of our reports dated March 13, 1997, relating to the consolidated financial statements and schedules of Ridgeview, Inc. appearing in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997. /s/ BDO Seidman, LLP Greensboro, North Carolina BDO Seidman, LLP March 30, 1998