Exhibit 23




                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement Nos.
33-5524, 33-22850, 2-77932, 2-97291, 33-625, 33-45410, 33-53971, 33-59781,
333-82847 and 33-50960 of Angelica Corporation on Form S-8 of our report dated
March 13, 2003, relating to the consolidated financial statements of Angelica
Corporation and subsidiaries as of and for the year ended January 25, 2003
(which report expresses an unqualified opinion and includes explanatory
paragraphs relating to (1) the adoption of a new accounting principle and (2)
the application of procedures relating to certain disclosures of financial
statement amounts related to the 2002 and 2001 financial statements that were
audited by other auditors who have ceased operations and for which we have
expressed no opinion or other form of assurance other than with respect to such
disclosures) appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Angelica
Corporation for the year ended January 25, 2003.

/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
St. Louis, Missouri
April 22, 2003