HAROLDS STORES INC
424B1, 1996-06-12
FAMILY CLOTHING STORES
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<PAGE>
 
                                                          Filed Pursuant to
                                                          Rule 424(b)(1)
                                                          SEC File No. 333-04117
    
PROSPECTUS
    
                                645,000 SHARES
                                   HAROLD'S
                                    [LOGO]
                                 COMMON STOCK      
                                  __________
    
     Of the 645,000 shares of Common Stock offered hereby (the "Shares"),
400,000 shares are being sold by Harold's Stores, Inc. ("Harold's" or the
"Company") and 245,000 shares are being sold by certain shareholders of the
Company (the "Selling Shareholders"). See "Selling Shareholders." The Company
will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the shares of Common Stock
by the Selling Shareholders.      

   
     The Common Stock is listed on the American Stock Exchange ("AMEX") under
the trading symbol HLD. On June 11, 1996, the last reported sale price of the
Common Stock on the AMEX was $16.75 per share. See "Price Range of Common Stock
and Dividend Policy."
                                  __________

       SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 6 OF THIS PROSPECTUS FOR A
  DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN FACTORS THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BY PROSPECTIVE
  INVESTORS BEFORE PURCHASING ANY OF THE SHARES OFFERED HEREBY.

                                  ___________

  THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
       EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE
       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMIS-
         SION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS.
           ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
================================================================================
                                                               PROCEEDS TO
                               UNDERWRITING    PROCEEDS TO       SELLING
             PRICE TO PUBLIC   DISCOUNTS(1)    COMPANY(2)    SHAREHOLDERS(2)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>          <C>               <C>             <C>           <C>
Per Share...     $16.25           $1.01          $15.24           $15.24
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total (3)...  $10,481,250       $651,450       $6,096,000       $3,733,800
================================================================================
</TABLE>

(1) The Company and the Selling Shareholders have agreed to indemnify the
    Underwriter against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the
    Securities Act of 1933, as amended.  See "Underwriting."
   
(2) Before deducting expenses estimated to be $110,000, all of which will be
    paid by the Company.    
    
(3) The Company and the Selling Shareholders have granted the Underwriter a
    30-day option to purchase up to 96,750 additional shares of Common Stock
    on the same terms as set forth above solely to cover over-allotments, if
    any. If the option is exercised in full, the total Price to Public,
    Underwriting Discounts, Proceeds to Company, and Proceeds to Selling
    Shareholders will be $12,053,437, $749,167, $7,010,400 and $4,293,870,
    respectively.  See "Underwriting."      

       The Shares being offered by this Prospectus are offered by the
Underwriter, subject to prior sale, when, as and if delivered to and accepted by
the Underwriter and subject to certain conditions. It is expected that
certificates for the shares of Common Stock will be available for delivery
against payment therefor on or about June 17, 1996, at the offices of Scott &
Stringfellow, Inc., Richmond, Virginia.

                                 ____________

                          SCOTT & STRINGFELLOW, INC.
                                 ____________

    
               The date of this Prospectus is June 11, 1996     
<PAGE>
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION

   
     The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934 Act"), and, in accordance therewith,
files reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Reports, proxy statements and other information
filed by the Company can be inspected and copied at the public reference
facilities maintained by the SEC at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Judiciary Plaza,
Room 1024, Washington, D.C. 20549 and at its Regional Offices at Seven World
Trade Center, Suite 1300, New York, New York 10048 and at Citicorp Atrium
Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60611. Copies of
such materials also may be obtained at prescribed rates from the Public
Reference Section of the SEC, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Judiciary Plaza,
Washington, D.C. 20549. The Common Stock is listed on the American Stock
Exchange, and such reports, proxy statements and other information concerning
the Company may be inspected and copied at the offices of the American Stock
Exchange, 86 Trinity Place, New York, New York 10006.    

     The Company has filed with the SEC a Registration Statement on Form S-2
(the "Registration Statement"), of which this Prospectus constitutes a part,
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), with
respect to the Shares. This Prospectus does not contain all the information set
forth in or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and the
exhibits and schedules thereto in accordance with the rules and regulations of
the SEC. For further information with respect to the Company and the Shares,
reference is made to the Registration Statement and the exhibits and schedules
thereto. Copies of the Registration Statement and the exhibits thereto are on
file at the offices of the SEC and may be obtained upon payment of a prescribed
fee or may be examined without charge at the Public Reference Section of the
SEC, Washington, D.C. Statements contained in this Prospectus concerning the
provisions of documents filed with the Registration Statement as exhibits are
necessarily summaries of such documents, and each such statement is qualified in
its entirety by reference to the copy of the applicable document filed with the
SEC.

                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

   
     Incorporated by reference in this Prospectus as of the date of its filing,
and subject in such case to information contained in this Prospectus, are the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 3, 1996
and the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended May
4, 1996, which have been filed by the Company with the SEC pursuant to the 1934
Act.    

   
     The Company will provide, without charge, to each person to whom a copy of
this Prospectus is delivered, on the written or oral request of such person, a
copy of any or all of the documents incorporated by reference in this Prospectus
(other than exhibits and schedules thereto, unless such exhibits or schedules
are specifically incorporated by reference into the information that this
Prospectus incorporates).  Written or telephonic requests for such copies should
be directed to H. Rainey Powell, Harold's Stores, Inc., 765 Asp Avenue, Norman,
Oklahoma 73069, telephone (405) 329-4045.    


                                 ____________

IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, THE UNDERWRITER MAY OVER-ALLOT OR EFFECT
TRANSACTIONS THAT STABILIZE OR MAINTAIN THE MARKET PRICE OF THE COMMON STOCK AT
A LEVEL ABOVE THAT WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE PREVAIL IN THE OPEN MARKET.  SUCH
TRANSACTIONS MAY BE EFFECTED ON THE AMERICAN STOCK EXCHANGE OR OTHERWISE.  SUCH
STABILIZING, IF COMMENCED, MAY BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME.

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                              PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

     The following summary is qualified in its entirety by, and should be read
in conjunction with, the more detailed information and consolidated financial
statements (including the Notes thereto) appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus.
All share and per share information set forth herein has been adjusted to
reflect the 5% stock dividend paid in fiscal 1996 and the 10% stock dividends
paid in fiscal 1995, fiscal 1994 and fiscal 1993. Unless otherwise indicated,
all information contained herein assumes no exercise of the Underwriter's over-
allotment option or of options granted pursuant to the Company's stock option
and equity incentive plan. See "Underwriting" and "Selling Shareholders."

                                  THE COMPANY

     Harold's Stores, Inc., through a 31-location store chain of women's and
men's specialty apparel stores in 15 states, offers high-quality, classically
inspired apparel to the upscale, quality-conscious consumer primarily in the 20
to 50 year old age group. The stores typically are strategically located in
shopping centers and malls with other top-of-the-line specialty retailers and
are enhanced by an eclectic mix of antiques, together with specially designed
fixtures and visual props, to create an appealing stage for presentation of the
Company's distinctive women's and men's apparel and accessories. More than 85%
of sales consists of the Company's designs controlled by Harold's own stylists
and designers and resourced by Harold's buyers from domestic, European and Asian
manufacturers. See "Business - Product Development and Sourcing Programs." The
remainder consists of branded merchandise selected to complement Harold's
merchandise presentation.

     The Company's 31 stores are comprised of 12 full-line women's and men's
apparel stores, nine women's apparel stores which include a presentation of
men's sportwear featuring the Company's Old School Clothing brand, eight stores
featuring women's apparel only and two outlet stores to clear markdowns and 
slow-moving merchandise. Retail stores range in size from about 2,100 to 14,000
square feet, with the typical store ranging from 4,000 to 6,000 square feet. The
Company's store occupancy costs were 7.3% of store sales in fiscal 1996 and 7.2%
of store sales in fiscal 1995. Store occupancy costs include base and percentage
rent, common area maintenance expense, utilities and depreciation of leasehold
improvements.

     The Company achieved comparable store sales growth of 8.7% in fiscal 1996
and 10.7% in fiscal 1995. The Company believes that this increase in comparable
store sales is attributable to Harold's product development and merchandising
and Harold's commitment to customer service through its sales associates. The
Company's average sales per square foot for stores open during the entire fiscal
year were $628 and $599 for fiscal 1996 and fiscal 1995, respectively, on a 52-
week basis. The Company believes its sales per square foot are higher than
industry averages.

     The Company believes that its future success will be achieved by expanding
the number of its women's and men's apparel stores, maintaining sales momentum
at existing stores, and increasing circulation of its direct response catalog.
The Company recently embarked on an aggressive expansion program, adding in the
aggregate eight retail stores during fiscal 1995 and fiscal 1996 and thereby
increasing the chain store count by approximately 40%.

     The Company's expansion plan has focused and will continue to focus
primarily on markets currently served by the Company and in new markets that
represent a geographical progression from existing markets. Thus far during
fiscal 1997, the Company has opened stores in Greenville, South Carolina and
Leawood, Kansas (Kansas City metro) and plans to open four additional stores.
These four stores are planned for opening during the balance of fiscal 1997 in
regional shopping malls in Raleigh, North Carolina, Tyson's Corner (Northern
Virginia), Houston and Denver. All six stores will feature a full line of
women's merchandise, while four will include a full line of men's merchandise
and two will offer men's sportwear.

     Beginning in 1990, the Company created a direct response catalog that, in
addition to contributing to sales, has provided market research and initial
promotion of new store openings. Catalog sales have increased from $620,000 in
fiscal 1992 to $9,384,000 in fiscal 1996. In fiscal 1996, the Company mailed six
issues of the catalog, averaging 48 pages, with aggregate circulation of
approximately 6.5 million issues.

     The mailing address and telephone number of the Company's principal
executive offices are 765 Asp Avenue, Norman, Oklahoma 73069, (405) 329-4045.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

   
                                 THE OFFERING
<TABLE> 
<S>                                          <C> 
Common Stock Offered by(1)
   The Company............................   400,000 shares
   The Selling Shareholders...............   245,000 shares
Shares Outstanding
   After this Offering(1)(2)..............   5,365,245 shares
Use of Proceeds...........................   To reduce indebtedness, to finance expansion 
                                             of the Company's chain of stores and its credit 
                                             card receivables and for working capital.
AMEX Symbol...............................   HLD
</TABLE> 

________________________

(1)  Assumes that the Underwriter's over-allotment option to purchase up to
     96,750 shares will not be exercised.  See "Underwriting."

(2)  Excludes 376,276 shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance pursuant to
     outstanding stock options as of May 1, 1996.    


                                 FISCAL YEARS

     The Company operates on a 52-53 week fiscal year which ends on the Saturday
closest to January 31. References herein to fiscal 1997, fiscal 1996, fiscal
1995, fiscal 1994, fiscal 1993 and fiscal 1992 refer to the years ended February
1, 1997, February 3, 1996, January 28, 1995, January 29, 1994, January 30, 1993
and February 1, 1992.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

   
                  SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

     The following summary financial information is derived from the
consolidated financial statements of the Company for the fiscal years 1992
through 1996 and the first quarters of fiscal 1996 and fiscal 1997.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           FISCAL YEAR                                                       FISCAL QUARTER ENDED
                             ----------------------------------------------------------------------          -----------------------
                                                                                                               APRIL 29,      MAY 4,
                             1992            1993              1994            1995            1996             1995           1996
                             ----            ----              ----            ----            ----             ----           ---- 
                                                                                                                     (Unaudited)
                                                       (Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)       

STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS  DATA:
<S>                               <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>           <C>
Sales                             $40,553        $49,279        $60,940        $75,795        $94,264        $21,316       $24,522

Gross profit on sales(1)           12,990         16,303         20,349         26,407         34,433          7,448         8,631

Earnings before income taxes        1,148          1,875          2,783          3,539          4,645            811         1,010
 
Net earnings                          647          1,052          1,612          2,088          2,787            486           606

Earnings per common share(2)      $  0.15        $  0.25        $  0.35        $  0.42        $  0.56        $  0.10       $  0.12
 
 
BALANCE SHEET DATA:

Working capital                   $ 8,732        $ 9,985        $12,540        $12,524        $21,829        $12,272       $22,170

Total assets                       20,085         21,947         26,441         34,661         42,609         35,759        42,936

Long-term debt(3)                       -          1,177            669            594          9,540            575         9,418

Stockholders' equity               14,302         15,366         19,996         22,260         25,299         22,819        26,006

Net book value per share(4)       $  3.36        $  3.61        $  4.07        $  4.51        $  5.10        $  4.62       $  5.24

 
OTHER OPERATING DATA:

Stores open at end of period(5)        15             18             21             25             29             26            31
           
Growth in comparable store            1.1%           8.1%           7.4%          10.7%           8.7%           7.8%          3.8%
 sales (52-53 week basis)
</TABLE> 
_________________________

(1)  In accordance with retail industry practice, gross profit on sales is
     calculated by subtracting cost of goods sold (including occupancy and
     central buying expenses) from sales.
(2)  Net earnings per common share are based on the weighted average number of
     common shares outstanding during each period restated for the 5% stock
     dividend in fiscal 1996 and the 10% stock dividends in fiscal 1995, fiscal
     1994 and fiscal 1993, and include Common Stock equivalents of 53,181 shares
     in fiscal 1996 and 47,135 shares and 136,643 shares in the fiscal quarters
     ended April 29, 1995 and May 4, 1996, respectively.
(3)  In fiscal 1996, the Company renewed its line of credit to be payable at a
     fixed maturity rather than on demand which required the loan to be
     reclassified as long-term debt.
(4)  Net book value per share is based on the number of common shares
     outstanding at the end of each fiscal year restated for the 5% stock
     dividend in fiscal 1996 and the 10% stock dividends in fiscal 1995, fiscal
     1994 and fiscal 1993.
(5)  The number of stores open at the end of the period has been restated to
     reflect the consolidation of the stand alone "Old School Clothing Company"
     into the 50 Penn Place Store in Oklahoma City.    

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
                                 RISK FACTORS

     Prospective investors should consider carefully the following factors as
well as the other information contained in this Prospectus before purchasing any
of the Shares offered hereby:

     PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT; MERCHANDISE INVENTORIES.  As a consequence of the
Company's product development programs, a substantial portion of the Company's
merchandise purchases are concentrated among a small number of vendors. The
Company believes that fewer vendor relationships advance the Company's product
development objectives of increasing control over design and manufacturing
processes, providing the Company enhanced control over the quality and cost of
the Company's inventory purchases. However, since the Company works with a
limited number of vendors, non-delivery or late delivery by any one of the
Company's principal vendors could adversely affect the Company's operations. In
the event of the termination of the relationship with the Company's principal
vendor, the Company believes that more than one new vendor would be required to
replace the loss of that vendor. Although management believes that replacement
vendors could be located if any buying relationship is terminated, until
replacement vendors are located, the operating results of the Company could be
materially adversely affected.

     The Company's product development programs also require it to be involved
earlier in the process of creating merchandise and to make financial commitments
sooner than would otherwise be necessary were it relying solely on outside
vendor developed merchandise. The Company's investment in piece goods (fabric)
and work in process has increased significantly during the last fiscal year.
Since the Company, in most instances, purchases piece goods to be used in its
products direct from various mills, there is a relatively long lead time
involved in the manufacturing process and investment in piece goods before these
goods are cut and sewn. As a result, the Company is vulnerable to demand and
pricing shifts and to errors in selection and timing of merchandise purchases.
See "Business - Product Development and Sourcing Programs."

   
     EXPANSION PLANS.  The Company has grown from 21 stores in 1994 to 31 stores
as of May 1, 1996 and its sales have grown significantly in the past several
years. The Company intends to continue to pursue its aggressive store opening
strategy. The continued growth of the Company is dependent, in large part, upon
the Company's ability to open new stores on a timely basis and to operate them
profitably. The Company plans to open approximately six new stores in fiscal
1997, two of which are already open. As of May 1, 1996, the Company had signed
leases with respect to three new stores and had reached an agreement in
principle with respect to one additional new store to open in fiscal 1997.
Successful expansion is subject to various contingencies, some of which are
beyond the Company's control. These contingencies include, among others, (i) the
Company's ability to hire, train and retain qualified managers and other
personnel, and to maintain good relations with all of its employees, (ii) the
availability of adequate inventory, capital resources and external financing,
(iii) the Company's ability to identify and secure suitable store sites on a
timely basis and on satisfactory terms and to complete any necessary
construction or refurbishment of these sites, (iv) the successful integration of
new stores into existing operations and (v) the Company's ability to adjust its
merchandise mix to accommodate various consumer preferences and climates in
markets where the Company has not previously operated. There can be no assurance
that the Company will be able to achieve its targets for opening new stores,
that its new stores will be profitable or achieve sales and profitability
comparable to the Company's existing stores, or that comparable store sales
increases will continue. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that the Company
will anticipate all of the changing demands which its expanding operations will
impose on its systems and personnel. The Company's failure to expand internal
systems or to hire, train and retain qualified personnel as required by its
growth could adversely affect its future operating results. See "Business -
General."    

   
     REGULATIONS AND FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE.  The Company purchased
approximately 13.4% of its merchandise based on cost in fiscal 1996 directly
from vendors located abroad, primarily in the United Kingdom, Italy, France, and
the Far East. In addition, the Company believes that a substantial portion of
the goods the Company purchases from domestic vendors are manufactured abroad.
These arrangements are subject to the risks of relying on products manufactured
abroad, including import duties and quotas, loss of "most favored nation"
trading status and currency risk associated with the purchase of merchandise.
The Company must continuously seek out buying opportunities from both its
existing suppliers and new sources, for which it competes with other apparel
retailers.     

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
     
Although the Company believes that its management has long standing and
excellent relationships with its suppliers, there can be no assurance that the
Company will be successful in maintaining a continuing and, in light of the
anticipated addition of new stores, an increasing supply of quality merchandise
at attractive prices. See "Business - Retail Merchandising." Substantially all
of the Company's purchases from the Far East, including Hong Kong, are priced in
U.S. dollars. However, its European purchases are denominated in local currency
and, therefore, are subject to fluctuating currency exchange rates. See
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations - Results of Operations."    

   
     The United States has recently proposed trade sanctions against the
People's Republic of China, including tariffs on certain imported goods. Due to
the limited categories and quantities of merchandise imported by the Company
from the People's Republic of China, the Company does not believe that the
effects of the proposed sanctions will be significant to the Company. However,
due to uncertainties concerning whether, and to what extent, the sanctions will
be adopted, there can be no assurances concerning the effect of the proposed
sanctions on the Company.    

     DEPENDENCE UPON KEY PERSONNEL.  The Company's success depends to a
significant extent upon the leadership and performance of its senior management
team, particularly Harold G. Powell, Chairman of the Board, Rebecca Powell
Casey, Vice Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, H. Rainey Powell,
President and Chief Operating and Financial Officer, and Kenneth C. Row,
Executive Vice President. While the Company believes that its senior management
team has significant depth, the loss of services of any of the executive
officers of the Company could have a material adverse impact on the Company. See
"Management and Directors."

   
     CONTROL OF THE COMPANY.  Harold G. Powell, Chairman of the Board of the
Company, members of his family (including Rebecca Powell Casey and H. Rainey
Powell, officers of the Company) and certain trusts, the beneficiaries of which
are Powell family members, currently own beneficially approximately 54.1% of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock. After giving effect to this offering, the
aggregate beneficial ownership of members of the Powell family and certain
trusts will be reduced to approximately 45.5% of the outstanding shares of
Common Stock. Members of the Powell family may continue to effectively control
the business and affairs of the Company following completion of this offering.
See "Description of Capital Stock."    

     In the ordinary course of business, the Company engages in transactions
with entities owned by the Powell family. During fiscal 1996, payments by the
Company to these entities totaled approximately $362,000, representing lease
payments with respect to the Company's distribution and receiving facility in
Norman, Oklahoma, its Dallas, Texas buying and administrative offices, and its
Norman, Oklahoma retail store and related facilities. See "Business -Merchandise
Buying Office and Distribution Center" and Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements - Note 8.

     COMPETITION AND OTHER BUSINESS FACTORS.  All aspects of the retail apparel
business are highly competitive. The Company competes primarily with better
department stores, specialty retailers and boutiques engaged in the retail sale
of better quality women's and men's apparel, many of which are larger and have
greater resources than the Company. Although the Company believes its emphasis
on classically inspired styles makes it less vulnerable to changes in fashion
trends than many other apparel retailers, the Company's sales and earnings
nevertheless depend to a significant extent upon its ability to respond to
changes in fashion. See "Business - Competition." The Company's future
performance will be subject to a number of factors beyond its control, including
economic downturns, cyclical variations in the retail market for better quality
apparel and rapid changes in fashion preferences. In addition, in order to
continue to grow at the rates achieved in recent years, the Company will have to
continue to open new stores. Such growth will be dependent upon general economic
and business conditions affecting consumer spending, the availability of
desirable locations and the negotiation of acceptable lease terms for new
locations. See "Business - General."

   
     SEASONALITY AND QUARTERLY FLUCTUATIONS.  The Company has historically
experienced and expects to continue to experience seasonal fluctuations in its
sales, operating income and net income.  The highest sales periods for the
Company are the early autumn and Christmas seasons falling in the third and
fourth fiscal quarters, respectively.  A disproportionate amount of the
Company's sales, operating income and net income are generally realized during
the fourth quarter.  In anticipation of increased sales activity during these
months, the Company purchases substantial     

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
     
amounts of inventory and hires a significant number of temporary employees to
bolster its permanent store staff. If, for any reason, the Company's sales were
below seasonal norms during the third and fourth fiscal quarters, including as a
result of merchandise delivery delays due to receiving or distribution problems,
the Company's annual operating results, particularly operating income and net
income, could be adversely affected. Historically, sales, operating income and
net income have been weakest during the first fiscal quarter, and the Company
expects this trend to continue. The Company's quarterly results of operations
may also fluctuate significantly as a result of a variety of factors, including
the timing of new store openings, the sales contributed by new stores, shifts in
the timing of certain holidays and the merchandise mix. See "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations -
Seasonality."    

                                USE OF PROCEEDS

     The net proceeds to the Company from the sale of the Shares are estimated
to be approximately $5,986,000 (approximately $6,900,400 if the Underwriter's
over-allotment option is exercised in full). Substantially all of the net
proceeds to the Company will be used to reduce indebtedness, to finance the
expansion of the Company's chain of retail stores, to finance the Company's
credit card receivables and for working capital. Pending any such uses, the
Company intends to reduce borrowing under its working capital lines. See
"Business - Catalog Publication and Order Fulfillment and - Merchandise
Inventory Replenishment and Distribution," and Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements - Note 4.

     The Company will not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares of Common
Stock by the Selling Shareholders.

                PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK AND DIVIDEND POLICY

     The Company's Common Stock is listed on the American Stock Exchange under
the symbol "HLD." The table below presents the range of high and low sale prices
of the Common Stock for the periods indicated. The price per share information
contained in the following table is restated to reflect a 5% stock dividend paid
in fiscal 1996 and a 10% stock dividend paid in fiscal 1995.

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FISCAL 1997                    HIGH             LOW 
- -----------                    ----             ---  
<S>                           <C>             <C>   
1st Quarter                   $18.00          $11.75
2nd Quarter (through)          17.00           15.63
June 11, 1996                                        
                                                    
FISCAL 1996                     HIGH            LOW 
- -----------                     ----            --- 
                                                    
1st Quarter                   $10.60          $ 9.40
2nd Quarter                    10.60            9.52
3rd Quarter                    10.36            9.17
4th Quarter                    11.79            9.40
                                                    
FISCAL 1995                     HIGH            LOW 
- -----------                     ----            ---  
                                                    
1st Quarter                   $ 8.66          $ 6.39
2nd Quarter                    12.34            8.01
3rd Quarter                    10.71            7.58
4th Quarter                    10.17            8.66 
</TABLE>

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
    
     The last sale price of the Common Stock as reported on the American
Stock Exchange on June 11, 1996, was $16.75. As of May 1, 1996, there were 595
record holders of the Company's Common Stock. The Company has never declared or
paid cash dividends on its capital stock and presently intends to retain all
earnings for the operation and expansion of its business for the foreseeable
future. Any future determination as to the payment of cash dividends will depend
on the Company's earnings, capital requirements, financial condition and other
factors as the Company's Board of Directors may deem relevant.

                                CAPITALIZATION

     The following table sets forth the unaudited consolidated capitalization of
the Company as of the end of the Company's fiscal quarter on May 4, 1996, and as
adjusted to give effect to the sale by the Company of 400,000 shares of Common
Stock offered hereby (excluding 60,000 shares issuable upon exercise of the
Underwriter's over-allotment option). This table should be read in conjunction
with the consolidated financial statements of the Company and the notes thereto
appearing elsewhere, or incorporated by reference, in this Prospectus.

    
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    AS OF MAY 4, 1996
                                                                                   --------------------
                                                                                  ACTUAL       AS ADJUSTED
                                                                                 -------       -----------
                                                                                     (In thousands)
<S>                                                                             <C>            <C>     
Short-term obligations (includes current portion                                            
 of long-term debt)                                                              $    75         $    75
                                                                                 -------         -------
Long-term obligations (excludes current portion                                                         
 of long-term debt)(1)                                                             9,418           9,418
                                                                                 -------         ------- 
                                                                                                        
Stockholders' equity:                                                                                   
 Preferred Stock; $0.01 par value; 1,000,000                                                            
  shares authorized; none issued                                                      -               - 
 Common Stock: $0.01 par value; 7,500,000                                                               
  shares authorized; 4,965,245 shares issued                                                            
  (5,365,245 shares as adjusted)(2)(3)                                                50              54 
 Additional paid-in capital                                                       20,673          26,655
 Retained earnings                                                                 5,283           5,283
                                                                                 -------         -------
 Total stockholders' equity                                                       26,006          31,992
                                                                                 -------         -------
      Total capitalization                                                       $35,499         $41,485
                                                                                 =======         ======= 
</TABLE>
     
_____________________

(1)  See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Note 4 for information
     concerning long-term indebtedness of the Company.

(2)  5,425,245 shares if the Underwriter's over-allotment option is exercised in
     full.

(3)  See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Note 6. Excludes
     approximately 376,276 shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance pursuant
     to outstanding awards under the Company's stock option and equity incentive
     plan as of May 4, 1996.

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
                     SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

     The following selected consolidated financial information is derived from
the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company and should be read
in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations" and the consolidated financial statements and the
notes thereto, appearing elsewhere or incorporated by reference in this
Prospectus.

    
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                FISCAL YEAR                                   FISCAL QUARTER ENDED
                                     ----------------------------------------------------------------         --------------------
                                                                                                              APRIL 29,      MAY 4,
                                     1992           1993           1994           1995           1996           1995          1996
                                     ----           ----           ----           ----           ----           ----          ----
                                                                                                                   (Unaudited)
                                                      (Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
<S>                               <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>           <C>
STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS DATA:    
Sales                             $40,553        $49,279        $60,940        $75,795        $94,264        $21,316       $24,522  

 Percentage increase                  6.8%          21.5%          23.7%          24.4%          24.4%          27.2%         15.0% 

                                                                                                                                    

Gross profit on sales (1)         $12,990        $16,303        $20,349        $26,407        $34,433        $ 7,448       $ 8,631  

 Percentage of sales                 32.0%          33.1%          33.4%          34.8%          36.5%          34.9%         35.2% 

                                                                                                                                    

Earnings before income                                                                                                              
 taxes                            $ 1,148        $ 1,875        $ 2,783        $ 3,539        $ 4,645        $   811       $ 1,010 
 
 Percentage of sales                  2.8%           3.8%           4.5%           4.7%           4.9%           3.8%          4.1% 

                                                                                                                                    

Net earnings                      $   647        $ 1,052        $ 1,612        $ 2,088        $ 2,787        $   486       $   606 
 Percentage of sales                  1.6%           2.1%           2.6%           2.8%           3.0%           2.3%          2.5% 

 
Earnings per common
 share(2)                         $  0.15        $  0.25        $  0.35        $  0.42        $  0.56        $  0.10       $  0.12 
                                                                                                                                    

OTHER OPERATING DATA:
Stores open at end of
 period(3)                             15             18             21             25             29             26            31 
Growth in comparable store                                                                                                         
 sales                                1.1%           8.1%           7.4%          10.7%           8.7%           7.8%          3.8% 

(52-53 week basis)                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                   
BALANCE SHEET DATA:                                                                                                                
Working capital                   $ 8,732        $ 9,985        $12,540        $12,524        $21,829        $12,272       $22,170 
Total Assets                       20,085         21,947         26,441         34,661         42,609         35,759        42,936 
Long-term debt(4)                       -          1,177            669            594          9,540            575         9,418 
Stockholders' equity               14,302         15,366         19,996         22,260         25,299         22,819        26,006 
Net book value per share(5)       $  3.36        $  3.61        $  4.07        $  4.51        $  5.10        $  4.62       $  5.24 
</TABLE>
     
_________________________

    
(1)  In accordance with retail industry practice, gross profit on sales is
     calculated by subtracting cost of goods sold (including occupancy and
     central buying expenses) from sales.     

    
(2)  Net earnings per common share are based on the weighted average number of
     shares of Common Stock outstanding during each period restated for the 5%
     percent stock dividend in fiscal 1996 and the 10% stock dividends in fiscal
     1995, fiscal 1994 and fiscal 1993, and include Common Stock equivalents of
     53,181 shares in fiscal 1996 and 47,135 shares and 136,643 shares in the
     fiscal quarters ended April 29, 1995 and May 4, 1996, respectively.     

    
(3)  The number of stores open at the end of the period has been restated to
     reflect the consolidation of the stand alone "Old School Clothing Company"
     into the 50 Penn Place Store in Oklahoma City.     

    
(4)  In fiscal 1996, the Company renewed its line of credit to be payable at a
     fixed maturity rather than on demand which required the loan to be
     reclassified as long-term debt.     

    
(5)  Net book value per share is based on the number of shares of Common Stock
     outstanding at the end of each fiscal year restated for the 5% stock
     dividend in fiscal 1996 and the 10% stock dividends in fiscal 1995, fiscal
     1994 and fiscal 1993.     

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
                    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                 FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

     The following table reflects items in the Company's statement of earnings
as a percentage of sales for the periods indicated:

    
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                FISCAL YEAR           FISCAL QUARTER ENDED
                                                       ---------------------------   ----------------------
                                                                                       APRIL 29,     MAY 4,
                                                       1994        1995       1996       1995         1996
                                                       ----        ----       ----       ----         ---- 
                                                                                            (Unaudited)
<S>                                                   <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>          <C> 
Sales                                                 100.0%      100.0%     100.0%     100.0%       100.0%
                                                                                                   
Cost of goods sold                                    (66.6)      (65.2)     (63.5)     (65.1)       (64.8)
Selling, general and administrative expenses          (19.8)      (19.7)     (20.5)     (20.1)       (19.8)
Advertising expense                                    (6.5)       (7.8)      (8.3)      (7.8)        (8.1)
Depreciation and amortization                          (2.3)       (2.3)      (2.3)      (2.4)        (2.7)
Interest expense                                       (0.3)        0.3)      (0.5)      (0.8)        (0.5)
                                                      -----       -----      -----      -----        -----
                                                                                                   
Earnings before income taxes                            4.5         4.7        4.9        3.8          4.1
Provision for income taxes                             (1.9)       (1.9)      (1.9)      (1.5)        (1.6)
                                                      -----       -----      -----      -----        -----
                                                                                                   
Net earnings                                            2.6%        2.8%       3.0%       2.3%         2.5%
                                                      =====       =====      =====      =====        =====
</TABLE>
     

     The following table reflects the sources of the increases in Company
                       sales for the periods indicated:

    
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               FISCAL YEAR             FISCAL QUARTER ENDED
                                                       ---------------------------     --------------------
                                                                                       APRIL 29,     MAY 4,
                                                       1994        1995       1996       1995         1996
                                                       ----        ----       ----       ----         ----
                                                                                           (Unaudited)
<S>                                                  <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>          <C> 
Store sales (000's)                                  $55,504     $68,901    $84,880    $18,783      $21,990                
Catalog sales (000's)                                  5,436       6,894      9,384      2,533        2,532                
                                                     -------     -------    -------    -------      -------                
                                                                                                                           
Sales (000's)                                        $60,940     $75,795    $94,264    $21,316      $24,522                
                                                     =======     =======    =======    =======      =======                
                                                                                                                           
Total sales growth                                     23.5%       24.4%      24.4%      27.2%        15.0%                
Growth in comparable store sales                        7.4        10.7        8.7        7.8          3.8                 
  (52-53 week basis)                                                                                                      
Growth in catalog sales                                68.6        26.8       36.1       34.6          0.0                 
                                                                                                                           
Store locations:                                                                                                           
  Existing stores beginning of period                   18          21         25         25           29                 
  New stores opened during period                        3           4          4          1            2                 
                                                     -------     -------    -------    -------      -------                
   Total stores at end of period                        21          25         29         26           31                 
                                                     =======     =======    =======    =======      =======                
</TABLE>
     

    
     FISCAL YEARS ENDED JANUARY 29, 1994, JANUARY 28, 1995 AND FEBRUARY 3, 1996.
The opening of new stores, the expansion of existing stores, as well as the
increase in comparable store sales and the growth in catalog sales, contributed
to total sales growth for fiscal years 1994, 1995, and 1996. New stores opened
during fiscal 1996 included a 4,221 square foot men's and women's store in St.
Louis, Missouri opened in March 1995 (first quarter); a 4,292 square foot
women's and "Old School" store opened in Louisville, Kentucky in September 1995
(third quarter); a 5,200 square foot full-line men's and women's store opened in
Baton Rouge, Louisiana in November 1995 (third quarter); and Harold's second
outlet center, a 5,160 square foot store in Hillsboro, Texas in December 1995
(fourth quarter).     

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
     New stores opened during fiscal year 1995 included a 4,000 square foot
women's and "Old School" store in Charlotte, North Carolina opened in July 1994
(second quarter); a 3,300 square foot women's store opened in Austin, Texas in
September 1994 (third quarter); a 5,500 square foot full-line men's and women's
store opened in Plano, Texas in October 1994 (third quarter); and a 5,000 square
foot women's and "Old School" store opened in Phoenix, Arizona in November 1994
(fourth quarter).

     Significant increases in mail order catalog sales are the direct result of
the Company's expansion of this segment of the business. Since the 1989 test
market of Harold's first catalog, the Company has expanded its regular catalog
to include six seasonal issues each year. For fiscal 1996, the Company's catalog
averaged 48 pages per issue with an aggregate mailing (including abridged
issues) of approximately 6.5 million catalogs.

     The Company's gross margin increased for fiscal 1996 compared to fiscal
1995 and fiscal 1994. This increase is the result of a combination of several
factors. Increased sales volume has enabled the Company to more easily meet the
minimums required in the purchase of piece goods and the manufacturing of
garments. This has resulted in a reduction of overbuys and markdowns.
Verticalization in product development has created opportunities for increases
in initial markups. Improved control of downflow of merchandise to the outlet
stores has contributed to the reduction in ultimate markdowns. Any increase in
net earnings as a percentage of sales will be the result of increasing sales
while controlling selling, general and administrative expenses and improvement
in gross profit on sales.
    
     Selling, general and administrative expenses have continued to increase as
sales have increased in fiscal 1994, fiscal 1995, and fiscal 1996. Catalog
production cost increased 38% and 51% in fiscal years 1996 and 1995,
respectively. These increases in costs were due to the expansion of catalog
operations. In fiscal 1997, the Company plans to decrease the rate of sales
growth in the catalog division and decrease catalog expenses as a percentage of
sales. Additionally, an increase of approximately 29% in sales salaries during
fiscal 1996 compared to fiscal 1995 is associated with the Company's efforts to
improve the quality of customer service in all stores. The Company anticipates a
leveling of this expense category as a percentage of sales.     

     The average balance on total outstanding debt was $7,633,000 in fiscal 1996
compared to $3,668,000 for fiscal 1995. Average interest rates on the Company's
line of credit were higher in fiscal 1996, resulting in an increase in the
Company's cost of borrowed capital. As the Company's growth continues, cash flow
may require additional borrowed funds which may cause an increase in interest
expense.

     The Company's purchases denominated in foreign currency are of a short term
nature. The Company does not hedge these foreign currency transactions and it
has not been adversely affected in the past. The Company has no assurances that
the impact in the future may not be material.

     The Company's income tax rate of 42% in fiscal 1994 and 41% in fiscal 1995
decreased to 40% in fiscal 1996. This decreased tax rate is attributable to the
Company's estimation of higher tax rates on temporary differences in fiscal 1994
and fiscal 1995 compared to the tax rates currently estimated.

    
     FISCAL QUARTERS ENDED APRIL 29, 1995 AND MAY 4, 1996.  New stores opened 
during the quarter ended May 4, 1996 include a 5,076 square foot women's and 
"Old School" store in Greenville, South Carolina and a 5,000 square foot 
full-line men's and women's store in Leawood, Kansas (Kansas City Metro).

     The Company's gross margin increased during the quarter ended May 4, 1996 
compared to the Company's gross margin for the comparable period in the prior 
fiscal year.  Among the principal factors contributing to the increase was 
reduction in aggregate merchandise markdowns due to increased sales volumes in 
the Company's stores.

     Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased as a percentage of 
sales during the quarter ended May 4, 1996 compared to the comparable period in
the prior fiscal year.  This decrease resulted primarily from the leveling of 
catalog expenses and sales salaries as a percentage of sales during such quarter
compared to prior periods.  However, selling, general and administrative 
expenses may increase as a percentage of sales during the remainder of fiscal 
1997 as the Company pursues its expansion plans to open four more stores in 
fiscal 1997 in addition to the two new stores opened during the first quarter of
fiscal 1997.

     The average balance on total outstanding debt was $9,942,000 for the 
quarter ended May 4, 1996 compared to $6,040,000 for the comparable period in 
the prior fiscal year.  This increase in outstanding debt was due primarily to 
borrowings under the Company's line of credit to finance inventory purchases, 
store expansion, remodeling and equipment purchases. Average interest rates on 
the Company's line of credit were approximately the same for the quarter ended 
May 4, 1996 and the comparable quarter in the prior fiscal year.  As the 
COmpany's growth continues, cash flow may require additional borrowed funds 
which may cause an increase in interest expense.      

CAPITAL EXPENDITURES, CAPITAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY

     CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES.  For fiscal 1996, net cash provided
by operating activities was $709,000 as compared to $569,000 for fiscal 1995.
The significant increase in cash flows from operating activities is partially
attributable to the difference in timing of cash disbursements as reflected in
an increase in accounts payable of $242,000 for fiscal 1996, as compared to an
increase in accounts payable of $1,326,000 for fiscal 1995. In addition, the
difference in cash flows from operating activities between the two fiscal
periods is partially due to an increase of

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
    
$3,800,000 in the Company's merchandise inventories for fiscal 1996, as compared
to fiscal 1995, during which inventories increased by $5,200,000, primarily as a
result of the change in the relationship with CMT Enterprises, Inc. (see
"Liquidity").  Management expects that the dollar amount of its merchandise
inventories will continue to increase as it expands its product development 
programs and private label merchandise and expands its chain of retail stores
and catalog operations, with related increases in trade accounts receivable and
accounts payable. Period-to-period differences in timing of inventory purchases
and deliveries will affect comparability of cash flows from operating
activities.      

     In addition, the increased net earnings from fiscal 1996 and fiscal 1995 of
$2,787,000 and $2,088,000, respectively, resulted in an increase in accrued
expenses of $642,000 as compared to $656,000 for fiscal 1996 and 1995,
respectively.

    
     For the quarter ended May 4, 1996, net cash provided by operating
activities was $1,508,000 as compared to $917,000 for the same period in fiscal
1996. The increase is partially attributable to the timing of cash receipts and
dis bursements. Significant changes in the timing of cash receipts and
disbursements between the first quarters ended May 4, 1996 and April 29, 1995,
included an increase of $449,000 and $916,000, respectively, in trade and other
accounts receivable. The increase in trade and other accounts receivable is the
result of management's decision to promote sales using the Company's credit
card. These promotions are in conjunction with new store openings, as well as
existing stores, and are designed to provide a convenient source of credit for
the Company's customers at all Harold's locations and to increase the Company's
finance charge revenues.     
    
     In addition, the difference in cash flows from operating activities between
the two fiscal periods is partially due to a decrease of $1,016,000 in the
Company's merchandise inventories for the quarter ended May 4, 1996, as compared
to the first quarter of fiscal 1996, during which inventories decreased by
$1,260,000, and a decrease of $221,000 in the Company's accounts payable during
the quarter ended May 4, 1996, compared to a decrease in payables of $80,000 for
the first quarter of fiscal 1996. Management expects that the dollar size of its
merchandise inventories will increase as it expands its chain of retail stores
and catalog operation, with related increases in trade accounts payable, and
that period-to-period differences in timing of inventory purchases and
deliveries will affect comparability of cash flows from operating 
activities.     

    
     CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES.  For fiscal 1996 net cash used in
investing activities was $4,857,000 as compared to $3,952,000 for fiscal 1995.
For the quarter ended May 4, 1996, net cash used in investing activities was
$1,139,000 as compared to $1,205,000 for the quarter ended April 29, 1995.
Capital expenditures totaled $5,159,000 for fiscal 1996 compared to $3,994,000
for fiscal 1995, and $1,224,000 for the quarter ended May 4, 1996 compared to
$1,135,000 for the quarter ended April 29, 1995. Capital expenditures during
such periods were invested principally in new stores and in remodeling and
equipment expenditures at existing facilities.     

    
     CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES.  The Company has available a long-
term line of credit with its bank (see "Liquidity"). During fiscal 1996 and the
quarter ended May 4, 1996, the Company made periodic borrowings under its
revolving credit facility to finance its inventory purchases, store expansion,
remodeling and equipment purchases.     

    
     The line of credit had an average balance of $7,000,000 and $2,961,000
for the fiscal years 1996 and 1995, respectively.  During fiscal 1996, the line
of credit had a high balance of $10,337,000 and a $9,021,000 balance as of
February 3, 1996.  During the quarters ended May 4, 1996 and April 29, 1995, the
line of credit had an average balance of $9,259,000 and $5,390,00, respectively.
During the quarter ended May 4, 1996, the line of credit had a high balance of
$10,473,000 and a balance of $8,918,000 as of the end of such quarter.  The
balance at June 6, 1996 was $8,926,000.     

          LIQUIDITY.  The Company considers the following as measures of
liquidity and capital resources as of the dates indicated:

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
    
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 FISCAL YEAR                   FISCAL QUARTER ENDED
                                                      --------------------------------        ----------------------
                                                                                              APRIL 29,       MAY 4,
                                                       1994          1995         1996          1995           1996
                                                       ----          ----         ----          ----           ----
   <S>                                               <C>           <C>          <C>           <C>             <C>
                                                                                                    (Unaudited)
   Working capital (000's)                           $12,540       $12,524      $21,829       $12,272         $22,170 
   Current ratio                                      3.23:1        2.08:1       3.89:1        2.01:1          4.04:1 
   Ratio of working capital to total assets            .47:1         .36:1        .51:1         .34:1           .52:1 
   Ratio of long-term debt (including current                                                                         
     maturities) to stockholders' equity               .11:1         .25:1        .38:1         .28:1           .37:1  
</TABLE>
     

     In fiscal 1996, the Company renewed its line of credit to be payable at a
fixed maturity rather than on demand. As a result the loan was reclassified as
long-term debt rather than as a current liability.

     As a result of the change in fiscal 1995 in the relationship with CMT
Enterprises, Inc., the Company was required to increase its borrowings
approximately $5,200,000 to finance the purchase of raw materials and manu
facturing of finished goods. Previously, CMT sold finished goods to the Company.
Under the new arrangement, CMT acts as the Company's agent in the purchase of
raw materials (i.e. fabrics, linings, buttons, etc.) and supervises the
manufacturing process of the Company's merchandise with manufacturing
contractors. Increases in inventory because of the Company's expansion have
required increased borrowings under the Company's credit line.

     The Company's primary needs for liquidity are to finance its inventories
and revolving charge accounts and to invest in new stores, remodeling , fixtures
and equipment.

    
     Management believes cash flow from operations and its existing banking
arrangements should be sufficient to meet its operating needs and capital
expenditures through fiscal 1997. The Company's capital expenditures budget for
fiscal 1997 is approximately $3,700,000. Effective February 20, 1996, the
Company increased the above line of credit to $15,000,000. Additionally, a
$3,000,000 line of credit was obtained from a separate banking institution for
the purpose of issuing letters of credit.     

     Management believes that cash flow from operations and its existing banking
arrangements should be sufficient to meet its operating needs and capital
requirements through the fiscal year ending February 1, 1997. However, in order
to take advantage of opportunities to finance the Company's growth, management
believes it prudent to increase the equity capitalization of the Company rather
than finance this expansion through additional borrowings.

SEASONALITY

     The Company's business is subject to seasonal influences, with the major
portion of sales realized during the fall season (third and fourth quarters) of
each fiscal year, which includes the back-to-school and the holiday selling
seasons. In light of this pattern, selling, general and administrative expenses
were typically higher as a percentage of sales during the spring seasons (first
and second quarters) of each fiscal year.

INFLATION

     Inflation affects the costs incurred by the Company in its purchase of
merchandise and in certain components of its selling, general and administrative
expenses. The Company attempts to offset the effects of inflation through price
increases and control of expenses, although the Company's ability to increase
prices is limited by competitive factors in its markets. Inflation has had no
meaningful effect on sales, or net earnings of the Company.

IMPACT OF PENDING ACCOUNTING ANNOUNCEMENTS

     In March 1995, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement
121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed of"
("Statement 121"). Statement 121 is required to be adopted for

                                       14
<PAGE>
 
fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1995.  Statement 121 establishes
accounting standards for impairment of long-lived assets, certain identifiable
intangibles, and goodwill related to those assets to be held and used and for
long-lived assets and certain identifiable intangibles to be disposed of.

     In October 1995, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement
123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation" ("Statement 123"). Statement 123
is required to be adopted for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1995.
Statement 123 establishes financial accounting and reporting standards for 
stock-based employee compensation plans. The Company does not intend to adopt
the value-based accounting measurements recommended by Statement 123.

     Management believes that the adoption of Statements 121 and 123 will not
have a significant impact on the financial condition or the results of
operations of the Company.

                                       15
<PAGE>
 
                                   BUSINESS

GENERAL

     Harold's Stores, Inc., through a 31-location store chain of women's and
men's specialty apparel stores in 15 states, offers high-quality, classically
inspired apparel to the upscale, quality-conscious consumer primarily in the 20
to 50 year old age group. The stores typically are strategically located in
shopping centers and malls with other top-of-the-line specialty retailers and
are enhanced by an eclectic mix of antiques, together with specially designed
fixtures and visual props, to create an appealing stage for presentation of the
Company's distinctive women's and men's apparel and accessories. More than 85%
of sales consists of the Company's designs controlled by Harold's own stylists
and designers and resourced by Harold's buyers from domestic, European and Asian
manufacturers. The remainder consists of branded merchandise selected to
complement Harold's merchandise presentation. See "Business - Product
Development and Sourcing Programs."

     The Company's 31 stores are comprised of 12 full-line women's and men's
apparel stores, nine women's apparel stores which include a presentation of
men's sportswear featuring the Company's Old School Clothing brand, eight stores
featuring women's apparel only and two outlet stores to clear markdowns and 
slow-moving merchandise. Retail stores range in size from about 2,100 to 14,000
square feet, with the typical store ranging from 4,000 to 6,000 square feet. The
Company's store occupancy costs were 7.3% of store sales in fiscal 1996 and 7.2%
of store sales in fiscal 1995. Store occupancy costs include base and percentage
rent, common area maintenance expense, utilities and depreciation of leasehold
improvements.

     The Company achieved comparable store sales growth of 8.7% in fiscal 1996
and 10.7% in fiscal 1995. The Company believes that this increase in comparable
store sales is attributable to Harold's product development and merchandising
and Harold's commitment to customer service through its sales associates. The
Company's average sales per square foot for stores open during the entire fiscal
year were $628 and $599 for fiscal 1996 and fiscal 1995, respectively, on a 52-
week basis. The Company believes its sales per square foot are higher than
industry averages.

     The Company believes that its future success will be achieved by expanding
the number of its women's and men's apparel stores, maintaining sales momentum
at existing stores, and increasing circulation of its direct response catalog.
The Company recently embarked on an aggressive expansion program, adding in the
aggregate eight retail stores during fiscal 1995 and fiscal 1996 and thereby
increasing the chain store count by approximately 40%.

     The Company's expansion plan has focused and will continue to focus
primarily on markets currently served by the Company and in new markets that
represent a geographical progression from existing markets.  Thus far during
fiscal 1997, the Company has opened stores in Greenville, South Carolina and
Leawood, Kansas (Kansas City metro) and plans to open four additional stores.
These four stores are planned for opening during the balance of fiscal 1997 in
regional shopping malls in Raleigh, North Carolina, Tyson's Corner (North
Virginia), Houston and Denver.  All six stores will feature a full line of
women's merchandise while four will include a full line of men's merchandise and
two will offer men's sportswear.

RETAIL MERCHANDISING

     The Company's merchandise mix in women's apparel includes coordinated
sportswear, dresses, coats, outerwear, shoes and accessories, all in updated
classic styles. A fundamental feature of the Company's marketing strategy is the
development of original exclusive and semi-exclusive apparel items. The Company
estimates that approximately 90% of its women's apparel sales are attributable
to the Company's product development and proprietary label programs. In fiscal
1996, women's apparel accounted for approximately 80% of sales.

    
          The men's apparel product line includes tailored clothing, suits,
sportcoats, furnishings, sportswear, and shoes. The style is what is known in
the apparel trade as "updated traditional," classic styling with a contemporary
influence. The young executive and college markets account for a substantial
portion of the Company's men's store sales.  Branded     

                                       16
<PAGE>
 
    
lines include Polo, Corbin, Alden, and Kenneth Gordon.  In fiscal 1996, the
Company's proprietary label apparel accounted for more than 80% of total men's
sales.  The majority of the men's proprietary label sales are in the Company's
Old School Clothing line.  In fiscal 1996, men's apparel accounted for
approximately 20% of sales.      

    
          The following table sets forth the approximate percentage of sales
attributable to the various merchandise categories offered by the Company in the
past three fiscal years:     

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          FISCAL 1994            FISCAL 1995              FISCAL 1996
                                      ------------------     --------------------     ------------------
                                                        (Dollar amounts in thousands)
<S>                                   <C>         <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>         <C> 
Women's Merchandise
 Sportswear                           $38,943      63.9%     $50,464       66.6%     $65,009      69.0%
 Shoes                                  3,270       5.4        3,914        5.2        5,196       5.5
 Handbags, Belts and Accessories        3,608       5.9        4,438        5.9        4,962       5.3
                                                                                         
Men's Merchandise                                                                        
 Suits, Sportcoats, Slacks and                                                           
   Furnishings                          4,904       8.0        5,338        7.0        6,493       6.9
 Shoes                                    728       1.2          845        1.1          991       1.0
 Sportswear and Accessories             9,001      14.8       10,337       13.6       11,256      11.9
                                                                                         
Other                                     486       0.8          459        0.6          357       0.4
                                      -------     ------     -------      ------      -------    ------
                                                                                         
   Total                              $60,940     100.0%     $75,795      100.0%     $94,264     100.0%
                                      =======     ======     =======      ======      =======    ======
</TABLE>

COMPANY STORES

     The Company's 31 stores range in size from 2,100 to 14,000 square feet,
with the typical store ranging from 4,000 to 6,000 square feet. The following
table lists Harold's store locations with selected information for each
location. Product lines in the table are defined as follows:

    
            W/M     Stores with the Company's full-line women's and men's 
                    apparel.
            W/OS    Stores with the Company's full-line women's apparel and 
                    also featuring the Company's
                    "Old School Clothing Company" concept.
            W       Stores featuring women's apparel only.     

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
    METROPOLITAN                                                                    PRODUCT       SQUARE    
        AREA                  LOCATION                   TYPE OF LOCATION            LINES        FOOTAGE   
        ----                  --------                   ----------------            -----        -------    
<S>                   <C>                            <C>                            <C>           <C>       
Atlanta, GA           Lenox Square                   Regional Shopping Center          W             2,446    
Atlanta, GA           Park Place                     Specialty Center                  W             3,413    
Austin, TX            Arboretum Market Place         Specialty Center                  W             3,300    
Austin, TX            8611 N. Mopac Expressway       Free Standing*                   W/M           13,200    
Baton Rouge, LA       CitiPlace Market Center        Specialty Center                 W/M            5,200    
Birmingham, AL        Riverchase Galleria            Regional Shopping Center        W/OS            2,713    
Charlotte, NC         Shops on the Park              Specialty Center                W/OS            4,000    
Dallas, TX            Dallas Galleria                Regional Shopping Center          W             4,974    
Dallas, TX            Highland Park Village          Specialty Center                 W/M            7,503     
</TABLE>

                                       17
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION> 
     METROPOLITAN                                                                       PRODUCT        SQUARE    
         AREA                       LOCATION                   TYPE OF LOCATION          LINES         FOOTAGE   
         ----                       --------                   ----------------          -----         -------    
<S>                       <C>                            <C>                             <C>           <C> 
Ft. Worth, TX             University Park Village        Specialty Center                 W/M           4,863  
Germantown, TN            Saddle Creek South             Specialty Center                W/OS           3,909  
 (Memphis metro)                                                                                               
Greenville, SC            Greenville Mall                Regional Shopping Center        W/OS           5,076  
Hillsboro, TX             Hillsboro Outlet Mall          Outlet Mall*                     W/M           5,160  
Houston, TX               Highland Village               Specialty Center                 W/M           6,189  
Jackson, MS               The Rogue Compound             Free Standing                     W            2,100  
Leawood, KS               Town Center Plaza              Regional Shopping Center         W/M           5,000  
 (Kansas City                                                                                                  
 metro)                                                                                                        
Kansas City, MO           Country Club Plaza             Regional Shopping Center          W            4,155  
Kensington, MD            White Flint Mall               Regional Shopping Center        W/OS           4,605  
 (Washington, DC                                                                                               
 metro)                                                                                                        
Louisville, KY            Mall St. Matthews              Regional Shopping Center        W/OS           4,292  
Lubbock, TX               8201 Quaker Avenue             Specialty Center                W/OS           3,897  
Nashville, TN             The Mall at Greenhills         Regional Shopping Center         W/M           5,975  
Norman, OK                Campus Corner Center           Specialty Center                 W/M           5,350  
Oklahoma City, OK         106 Park Avenue                Street Location                  W/M           3,760  
Oklahoma City, OK         50 Penn Place                  Specialty Center                 W/M          14,240  
Omaha, NE                 One Pacific Place              Specialty Center                  W            3,272  
Phoenix, AZ               Biltmore Fashion Park          Regional Shopping Center        W/OS           5,033  
Plano, TX                 Park and Preston               Free Standing                    W/M           5,525  
 (Dallas metro)                                                                                                
San Antonio, TX           Broadway and Austin            Free Standing                     W            3,312  
                          Highway                                                                              
St. Louis, MO             Plaza Frontenac                Regional Shopping Center        W/OS           4,221  
Tulsa, OK                 Farm Shopping Center           Specialty Center                 W/M           3,888  
Tulsa, OK                 Utica Square                   Regional Shopping Center         W/M           4,625  
</TABLE>

_____________________________

*Outlet Store

    
     The employee population of a typical full-line Harold's store consists of a
store manager, two assistant managers (women's and men's), one or two desk
associates, and five to seven sales associates most of whom work on a flex-time
basis (20-25 hours per week). Sales associates are paid a commission against a
draw. Commissions range from 7% to 10% based on the type of product sold and the
scale of the associate. Store managers are paid on a salary plus a performance
bonus based on attainment of sales goals and expense control.     

     The Company's stores generally are open seven days per week and evenings.
In addition to the Company's own "Harold's" credit card, the Company accepts
VISA, MasterCard and American Express cards.

                                       18
<PAGE>
 
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT AND SOURCING PROGRAMS

     The Company's product development and sourcing programs enable it to offer
exclusive and semi-exclusive items not available in competing stores or
catalogs. More than 85% of sales is merchandise where the Company has created or
controlled the design, demonstrating the Company's commitment to a unique
product mix. The Company believes that this unique product mix enables it to
compete with, and differentiates it from, larger apparel chains by offering
customers an exclusive garment at a price below designers and similar open
market merchandise. Direct creation and control of merchandise also enables the
Company to improve its initial mark up.

     The Company's private label merchandise consists of (i) items developed by
the Company and manufactured exclusively for the Company and individual
contractors, (ii) items developed by the Company and manufactured on a semi-
exclusive basis for the Company, and (iii) vendor-developed, non-exclusive items
to which the Company's private labels are affixed.

     An important component of the Company's product development programs is
market research of styles and fabrics. The Company's buyers shop European and
domestic markets for emerging fashion trends, for new vendors, and for fabric,
artwork and samples for new garment designs. Through sophisticated, computer-
aided design technologies, the product development staff adapts and develops
fabric designs and garment models. These design models assist the Company in
sourcing and in negotiations with mills and vendors. The Company's product
development programs allow it to participate directly in the design and
manufacturing of an exclusive product without investing in costly manufacturing
equipment. The Company's development program is complemented by association with
independent buying offices in New York and Florence.

     The Company's product development programs enable it to offer new styles,
often before similar merchandise is available at other specialty or department
stores or catalogs. The Company imports a significant portion of its merchandise
directly from the United Kingdom, Italy, France and through domestic importers
from the Far East.

     The Company's merchandisers travel to Europe, including popular fashion
meccas such as Paris and Milan, three to four times each year, searching out new
styles and collecting vintage fabrics and antique wallpaper, and original art
for pattern development. In addition to purchasing original art work created for
pattern development, merchandisers have ongoing contact with several art studios
in Europe where artists hand paint intricate patterns and prints exclusively for
the Company. The European development work helps the Company spot emerging
trends among fashion forward Europeans for development into the Company's
classically-inspired merchandise.

    
     The Company's merchandisers review the collected material, analyze fashion
directions and select the best pieces to convert into prints and patterns for
the next season. Once the new patterns are selected, the team then "specs" out
various styles - detailing a garment's cut, fit, fabric, color and trim. An
advanced textile computer-aided design system makes designing new pieces much
easier by providing color "proofs" which allow the Company to correct
inaccuracies in a design before a working sample is made. This process reduces
costs and contributes to the inherent value of each item. After the specs have
been finalized, the piece goods - materials for making the product -are ordered
from domestic and international fabric mills. The finished fabric is then
shipped to manufacturers who cut, sew and trim the completed design.      

     The Company's line of leather goods is made by European craftsmen,
primarily in Italy. Shoes, belts, handbags, wallets and other leather products
are co-designed by the Company's merchandisers and Italian artisans. Italian-
made leather goods are marketed under a variety of Company-owned labels and are
featured in all of the Company's stores and in its catalog.

    
     Reflecting the Company's product development programs, a substantial
portion of the Company's merchandise purchases are concentrated among a small
number of vendors. The Company believes that fewer vendor relationships advance
the Company's product development objectives by increasing control over the
design and manufacturing process. During fiscal 1995, the Company entered into a
new arrangement with its largest apparel vendor, CMT      

                                       19
<PAGE>
 
   
Enterprises, Inc. ("CMT"). Previously, Harold's controlled the design process
and paid CMT for finished goods when produced and manufactured. Under the new
arrangement, the process has become more verticalized. CMT acts as the Company's
agent in the purchase of raw materials (i.e. fabrics, linings, buttons, etc.)
and supervises the manufacturing process of the Company's merchandise with
manufacturing contractors. The Company purchases raw materials directly from
suppliers and pays for the manufacturing process as costs are incurred. CMT is
paid a commission based on actual cost of the finished goods. This change has
resulted in a cost savings, but has also resulted in an increase in the
Company's inventory of piece goods and work in process. The Company believes its
new relationship with CMT permits the Company to control the quality and cost of
the Company's inventory purchases. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations -Results of Operations and -
Capital Resources, Capital Expenditures and Liquidity" and "Risk Factors."    

CATALOG PUBLICATION AND ORDER FULFILLMENT

     In March 1990, using an in-house data base, the Company mailed its first
direct response catalog to over 100,000 addresses. In addition to contributing
to sales, the catalog has become an increasingly important market research and
new store promotion tool. During fiscal 1996, the Company used its mail order
buyer list (currently con taining approximately 120,000 names), its retail
customer list (currently containing approximately 220,000 names) and a variety
of rental lists to mail six issues with an average of 48 pages, and an aggregate
circulation of approximately 6.5 million copies (including abridged issues). The
catalogs are designed and produced in-house with photography, prepress and
printing services being outsourced. On-line computerized inventory systems and
order processing programs offer control of fulfillment and shipping times and
record the purchase history of catalog buyers and the performance of each
individual mailing list. Orders are processed daily and inventory adjustments
are managed accordingly.

   
          The direct response catalog has experienced sales increases from
$620,000 in fiscal 1992 to $9,384,000 in fiscal 1996. As a stand-alone venture
and as costs are currently accounted, the catalog has recorded a loss from
operations each year. There are several principal reasons for the losses: (i)
absence of critical mass is partially to blame for the catalog losses as
industry norms consider at least $10 million to be the threshold for successful
catalog operations; (ii) in addition to its primary merchandising role, the
catalog is employed as an advertising vehicle to stimulate customer traffic in
the existing Harold's stores, and also as a market research and development tool
in connection with expanding the chain into new markets; and (iii) at the end of
a specific catalog's run the unsold merchandise that was allocated to the
catalog center is marked down sufficiently to allow it to be sold at a profit in
the Company's stores. Any profit is booked in the store, and is not passed back
to the catalog center as an offset. The Company has not undertaken to account
for the advertising and traffic-building benefits of mailing the catalog to its
known retail customers, for the profits earned from catalog close-outs sold in
the outlet stores, or for the catalog's contribution to developing potential new
store locations. To the extent that these attributes of the catalog are a
benefit to the Company, they are not credited from an accounting point of view
to the catalog operations.    

   
     Management continues to emphasize further expansion of catalog operations
and to the extent that the financial results of the catalog operations improve,
principally as a consequence of increased sales and associated absorption of
fixed overhead, net earnings of the Company will improve as a percentage of
sales.    

MERCHANDISE INVENTORY REPLENISHMENT AND DISTRIBUTION

     The specialty retail apparel business fluctuates according to changes in
customer preferences dictated by fashion and season. These fluctuations affect
the inventory owned by apparel retailers, since merchandise usually must be
ordered well in advance of the season and sometimes before fashion trends are
evidenced by customer purchases. The Company's policy of carrying basic
merchandise items in full assortments of sizes and colors requires it to carry a
significant amount of inventory. The Company must enter into contracts for the
purchase and manufacture of proprietary label apparel well in advance of its
selling seasons.

     The Company continually reviews its inventory level in order to identify
slow-moving merchandise and broken assortments (items no longer in stock in a
sufficient range of styles, colors and sizes) and may use markdowns to clear

                                       20
<PAGE>
 
this merchandise. Markdowns also may be used if inventory exceeds customer
demand for reasons of style, seasonal adaptation, changes in customer preference
or if it is determined that the inventory in stock will not sell at its
currently marked price. Such markdowns may have an adverse impact on earnings,
depending on their extent and the amount of inventory affected. The Company
utilizes its two outlet stores to dispose of slow-moving merchandise. In
addition, slow-moving merchandise is cleared through regional off-site discount
sales held in January, June and August and which are promoted under the name
"Harold's Warehouse Sale".

     The Company operates a 22,000 square foot distribution facility in Norman,
Oklahoma. All of the Company's merchandise, over three million units projected
for fiscal 1997, will route through the distribution center from various
manufacturers. Each item is examined, sorted and tagged with bar coded tickets
which track the merchandise for analysis by multiple parameters, including,
vendor lot number, color and size. The merchandise is then boxed for shipment to
the Company's 31 stores and catalog operation. This process is done in a time
sensitive manner in a substantially paperless environment, utilizing computers,
bar codes and scanners.

     A 64,000 square foot expansion of the existing distribution center is
scheduled for completion during the summer of 1996. When the expansion is
completed, the facility will have the capability of processing merchandise for
64 stores and increasing to 128 stores with a modest additional investment.

SEASONALITY

     The Company's business follows a seasonal pattern, peaking twice a year
during the late summer back to school (August through early September) and
holiday (Thanksgiving through Christmas) periods. In fiscal 1996, approximately
57% of the Company's sales occurred and 64% of net income was earned during the
third and fourth fiscal quarters.

COMPETITION

     The Company's business is highly competitive. The Company's stores compete
with national and local department stores, specialty and discount store chains,
catalogers and independent retail stores which offer similar lines of specialty
apparel. Many of these competitors have significantly larger sales volumes and
assets than the Company.

   
     Depth of selection in sizes, colors and styles of merchandise, merchandise
procurement and pricing, ability to anticipate fashion trends and customer
preferences, inventory control, reputation, quality of private-label
merchandise, store design and location, advertising and customer service are all
important factors in competing successfully in the retail industry. Given the
large number of companies in the retail industry, the Company cannot estimate
the number of its competitors or its relative competitive position.    

     In addition, the success of the Company's operations depends upon a number
of factors relating to economic conditions and general consumer spending. If
current economic conditions worsen and consumer spending is restricted, the
Company's growth and profitability will be negatively impacted.

CUSTOMER CREDIT

     The Company's stores accept the proprietary "Harold's" credit card, and
VISA, MasterCard, and American Express credit cards. The Company's catalog
operation accepts VISA, MasterCard and the Company's credit card. Credit card
sales were 69.6% of sales in fiscal 1994, 70.2% in fiscal 1995, and 73.4% in
fiscal 1996. In fiscal 1996, 12.8% of sales were made with the Harold's credit
card and 60.6% were made with third party credit cards. The Company maintains a
credit department for customer service, credit authorizations, credit
investigation, billing and collections. As of February 3, 1996, the allowance
for bad debts from Company credit cards sales was approximately 1.3% of the
Harold's credit card sales for fiscal 1996.

                                       21
<PAGE>
 
   
     Harold's has offered customers its proprietary credit card since 1974. The
Company believes that providing its own credit card enhances customer loyalty
while providing customers with additional credit. At February 3, 1996, the
Company had approximately 32,000 credit accounts, 40.2% which had been used at
least once during the prior 12 months, and the average card holder had a line of
$1,200 and an outstanding balance of $365. Charges by holders of the Company's 
credit card during fiscal 1996 totalled approximately $15,900,000.    

ADVERTISING

     The Company maintains an in-house advertising department which has won
numerous Addy awards at the local, district and national levels. The advertising
department staff produces in-house print advertising for daily and weekly
newspapers and other print media, and designs the Company's direct response
catalogs and other direct mail pieces. In fiscal 1996, the Company spent
$7,807,000 (8.3% of sales) on advertising as compared to $5,912,000 in fiscal
1995 (7.8% of sales). The advertising department is also involved in the
production of quarterly and annual reports to the Company's stockholders, sales
training materials, internal marketing materials, and all corporate logos and
labeling.

MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS

     The Company has placed great emphasis on upgrading and integrating its
management information systems ("MIS"). The Company believes these upgrades will
enable it to maintain more efficient control of its operations and facilitate
faster and more informed responses to potential opportunities and problems. The
Company maintains a MIS team to oversee these information management systems,
which include credit, sales reporting, accounts payable and merchandise control,
reporting and distribution.

     The Company uses an integrated point-of-sale ("POS") inventory and
management system to control merchandising and sales activities. This system
automatically polls each location every 24 hours and provides a detailed report
by merchandise category the next morning. Management evaluates this information
daily and implements merchandising controls and strategies as needed. The
Company's POS system has been updated to allow additional functions to be
programmed into the system. Recently, the Company added new personnel scheduling
and timekeeping capabilities, and is currently in the process of implementing a
new customer profile function to better identify and track consumer
demographics.

     The Company continues to implement newer and better inventory control
systems. The Company routinely conducts its own inventory using a sophisticated
scanning system. POS scanning devices record and track SKU bar codes which are
assigned to every piece of merchandise. This information is downloaded into the
Company's IBM AS400 computer which generates a detailed report within 24 hours
of the physical inventory.

     The Company has also implemented ARTHUR(R), a computerized merchandise
planning system which interacts with the Company's AS400 and Island Pacific
software. ARTHUR(R) facilitates seasonal planning by department and store, and
provides certain data for financial planning.

   
     The Company plans to continue implementing upgrades and improving its
management information system to keep abreast of the retail industry's
increasing technological advances.    

TRADEMARKS, SERVICE MARKS, AND COPYRIGHTS

     "Harold's", "Harold Powell", "Old School Clothing Company", "OSCC Bespoke"
and other trademarks either have been registered, or have trademark applications
pending, with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and with the
registries of various foreign countries. The Company files U.S. copyright
registrations on the original design and artwork purchased or developed by the
Company.

                                       22
<PAGE>
 
     The Company's Houston store is called "Harold Powell" rather than
"Harold's" to avoid confusion with a local men's apparel store which operates in
Houston under the name "Harold's" with prior usage in this market predating the
Company's federal registration.

EMPLOYEES

     At May 1, 1996, the Company had approximately 480 full-time and 626 part-
time employees. Additionally, the Company hires temporary employees during the
peak late summer and holiday seasons. None of the Company's employees belongs to
any labor union and the Company believes that it has good relations with its
employees.

STORE LEASES

   
     At May 1, 1996, the Company had 30 leased stores. The Company believes rent
payable under its store leases is a key factor in determining the sales volume
at which a store can be profitably operated. The leases typically provide for an
initial term of 12 years. In most cases, the Company pays a base rent plus a
contingent rent based on the store's net sales in excess of a certain threshold,
typically four to five percent of net sales in excess of the applicable
threshold. Among current store leases, one store lease has fixed rent with no
percentage rent. One store lease has percentage rent only. All other store
leases provide for a base rent with percentage rent payable above specified
minimum sales. All stores open during all of fiscal 1996 except four operated at
sales volumes above the breakpoint (the sales volume below which only rent is
payable). Based on the Company's current level of sales per square foot, some of
the risk from any decline in future sales volume in these stores is reduced
because a corresponding decline in occupancy expense would occur.    

     Substantially all of the leases require the Company to pay property taxes,
insurance, utilities and common area maintenance charges. The current terms of
the Company's leases, including automatic renewal options, expire as follows:
    
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                      YEARS LEASES         NUMBER OF
                         EXPIRE             STORES  
                         ------            -------  
                         <S>               <C>      
                                                    
                         1996-1997             3     
                         1998-1999             3     
                         2000-2002             7     
                         2003 and later       17     
</TABLE>
     
     The Company generally has been successful in renewing its store leases as
they expire.

     During fiscal 1996, the Company entered into new leases for stores in St.
Louis, Louisville, Hillsboro, Texas, Baton Rouge, Houston, Leawood, Kansas and
Greenville, South Carolina. Management believes the terms of these leases are
comparable with other similar national retailers in these locations. Base rent
(minimum rent under terms of lease) in current leases ranges from $6 per square
foot to $41 per square foot over the terms of the leases. Total base rent has
continued to increase based on new store leases. Occupancy cost has increased
slightly as the Company has entered new markets. The following table sets forth
the fixed and variable components of the Company's rent expenses for the fiscal
years indicated:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
 
 
                                               FISCAL YEAR
                                    ----------------------------------
                                    1994           1995          1996
                                    ----           ----          ---- 
<S>                                 <C>         <C>         <C>
Base Rent                           $1,461,000  $1,791,000  $2,222,000
Additional amounts computed as a
  percentage of sales                  666,000     922,000   1,112,000
                                       -------     -------   ---------
     Total                          $2,127,000  $2,713,000  $3,334,000
                                    ==========  ==========  ==========
</TABLE>

                                       23
<PAGE>
 
CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS AND CATALOG FULFILLMENT CENTER

     The Company owns a complex of contiguous buildings in Norman, Oklahoma
comprised of approximately 36,500 square feet, with 22,000 square feet of this
space being utilized by the Company for its executive offices, administrative
functions and catalog fulfillment center. Data processing, accounting, credit,
and marketing departments are housed together with the catalog telephone center,
inventory and shipping facilities. The remainder of this complex is currently
rented and can be used for expansion of the catalog fulfillment center and other
Company needs.

MERCHANDISE BUYING OFFICE AND DISTRIBUTION CENTER

     The Company leases a 10,000 square foot building in Dallas used as a buying
office and a 22,000 square foot distribution center in Norman. The distribution
center is equipped with automated systems for receiving, processing and
distributing merchandise. Substantially all merchandise is shipped from vendors
directly to the distribution center, where it is received, inspected and
ticketed for inventory control. The merchandise is then shipped by Company
trucks or common carrier to the stores.

   
     The lessor of the Dallas buying office and the distribution center is a
limited partnership whose partners include Rebecca Powell Casey, Michael T.
Casey, H. Rainey Powell and Lisa Powell Hunt, all of whom are shareholders and
directors of the Company. The term of the buying office lease expires in March
2012, with annual rent payments of $158,000 plus insurance, utilities and
property taxes until April, 2000, at which time the rent will become $180,000,
plus insurance, utilities and property taxes, increasing $2,500 each year
thereafter until expiration of the lease. The term of the distribution center
lease expires in June 2012, with annual rent payments of $338,348 plus
insurance, utilities and property taxes until July 2001, at which time the rent
will increase annually on a fixed scale up to a maximum of $419,551 during the
final year of the lease.    

                           MANAGEMENT AND DIRECTORS

     The following persons serve as executive officers and directors of the
Company. Unless otherwise noted, the executive officers serve in the following
capacities at the pleasure of the Board of Directors of the Company:

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  OFFICER OR
          NAME             AGE  DIRECTOR SINCE                  POSITION
          ----             ---  --------------                  --------           
<S>                        <C>  <C>               <C>
Harold G. Powell            72       1948         Chairman of the Board of Directors          
                                                                                              
Rebecca Powell Casey        44       1977         Chief Executive Officer and Director        
                                                                                              
H. Rainey Powell            42       1978         President, Chief Operating and              
                                                  Financial Officer, Treasurer, Secretary     
                                                  and Director                                
                                                                                              
Kenneth C. Row              31       1986         Executive Vice President and Director       
                                                                                              
Janet F. Firth              39       1984         Vice President - Ladies' Merchandise        
                                                  Manager                                     
                                                                                              
Jeffrey T. Morrell          37       1993         Vice President - Stores                     
                                                                                              
Linda L. Daugherty          41       1994         Vice President and Controller               
                                                                                              
James R. Agar               64       1987         Director                                     
</TABLE> 
     

                                       24
<PAGE>
 
     
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  OFFICER OR
            NAME           AGE  DIRECTOR SINCE      POSITION
            ----           ---  --------------      --------
<S>                        <C>  <C>                 <C>     
Michael T. Casey            47       1988           Director
                                                            
Robert B. Cullum, Jr.       47       1993           Director
                                                            
Lisa Powell Hunt            40       1987           Director
                                                            
W. Howard Lester            60       1995           Director
                                                            
Gary C. Rawlinson           54       1987           Director
                                                            
William F. Weitzel, PhD     59       1989           Director 
</TABLE>
    

     Harold G. Powell, the founder of the Company, has been Chairman of the
Board of the Company since its organization in 1987, and was Chief Executive
Officer from 1987 to 1992. Prior to 1987, he was chief executive officer and/or
chairman of the board of directors of each of the predecessor corporations
through which the Company's business was conducted. Mr. Powell opened the first
clothing store at the Company's Norman, Oklahoma location in 1948. Mr. Powell is
employed pursuant to an employment agreement which expires January 31, 1998.

     Rebecca Powell Casey was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Company
in 1992, and prior to that time had been the President from 1987 to 1988, and
Executive Vice President - Merchandise and Product Development from 1989 to
1991. Ms. Casey has been employed by the Company and its predecessors in various
managerial positions since 1977. Ms. Casey is employed pursuant to an employment
agreement which expires January 31, 1998.

     H. Rainey Powell has been Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, Secretary and
a Director of the Company since 1987. Mr. Powell was elected President and Chief
Operating Officer in 1992. Mr. Powell has been employed by the Company and its
predecessors in various managerial positions since 1978. Mr. Powell is employed
pursuant to an employment agreement which expires January 31, 1998.

     Kenneth C. Row has served as Executive Vice President and a Director of the
Company since 1992. Prior to that time and since 1988, Mr. Row was Vice
President - Marketing. Mr. Row has been employed by the Company and its
predecessors in various managerial positions since 1986.

     Janet F. Firth has served as Vice President - Ladies' Merchandise Manager
of the Company since 1987. Prior to that time, Ms. Firth was employed by the
Company and its predecessors in various managerial capacities since 1984.

     Jeffrey T. Morrell has served as Vice President - Stores of the Company
since 1993. Prior to that time, Mr. Morrell was employed in various managerial
capacities since 1990.

     Linda L. Daugherty has served as Vice President and Controller of the
Company since 1994. Prior to that time, Ms. Daugherty was employed by the
Company and its predecessors in various managerial capacities since 1980.

     James R. Agar is President of Agar, Inc. and Advisory Director of Agar,
Ford, Jarmon and Muldrow Insurance Agency.

   
     Michael T. Casey has served as Chairman of the Board of Grand Prairie State
Bank, Texas, a privately held bank, since 1989, and is President of Casey
Bancorp, Inc. Prior to and since that time, Mr. Casey has been engaged in
investments and banking. He previously served as a Senior Vice President of the
Company from 1989 until 1991.    

                                       25
<PAGE>
 

     Robert B. Cullum, Jr. is a partner of Fairway Capital Partners, Ltd and
Wayfair Capital Partners, Ltd, both of which are privately held real estate
investment partnerships based in Dallas, Texas. Mr. Cullum was involved for 30
years in the supermarket industry with Cullum Co., Inc.

    
     Lisa Powell Hunt is engaged in investments and was formerly employed by the
First Boston Corporation as a registered institutional sales executive from 1980
to 1984.     

     W. Howard Lester has been Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Williams-
Sonoma, Inc. since 1978.

     Gary C. Rawlinson is a shareholder-director of the law firm of Crowe &
Dunlevy, A Professional Corporation, which firm serves as general counsel to the
Company.

     William F. Weitzel, PhD has served as Professor of Business Administration
at the University of Oklahoma since 1983 and as a Director of the College of
Business Administration's Skills Enhancement Program since 1986. Mr. Weitzel is
President of William Weitzel, Inc., a management consulting organization.

                         DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

     The Company is authorized to issue 7,500,000 shares of Common Stock, par
value $0.01 per share, and 1,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par value $0.01
per share. As of May 1, 1996, there were 4,965,245 shares of Common Stock
outstanding. No shares of Preferred Stock have been issued.

     The following summary description of the Company's capital stock does not
purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by this reference to the
Company's Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, copies of which have been
filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a
part. See "Capitalization" and "Selling Shareholders."

COMMON STOCK

     Holders of Common Stock are entitled, among other things, to one vote per
share on each matter submitted to a vote of shareholders and, in the event of
liquidation, to share ratably in the distribution of assets remaining after
payment of liabilities. At a meeting of shareholders at which a quorum is
present, a majority of the votes cast decides all questions, unless the matter
is one upon which a different vote is required by express provisions of law or
the Company's Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws. Holders of Common Stock
have no cumulative voting rights, and, accordingly, the holders of a majority of
the outstanding shares have the ability to elect all of the directors. Holders
of Common Stock have no preemptive or other rights to subscribe for shares.
Holders of Common Stock are entitled to such dividends as may be declared by the
Board of Directors out of funds legally available therefor, when and if so
declared. See "Price Range of Common Stock and Dividend Policy." All outstanding
shares are, and the shares issuable pursuant to the offering will be, when
issued and paid, fully paid and non-assessable.

PREFERRED STOCK

     No shares of Preferred Stock are outstanding. The Company's Certificate of
Incorporation authorizes the Board of Directors to issue Preferred Stock from
time to time in one or more series. The Board of Directors, without shareholder
approval, is authorized to determine the rights, preferences, privileges and
restrictions granted to, and imposed upon, each series of Preferred Stock and to
fix the number of shares of any series of Preferred Stock and the designation of
any such series. The issuance of Preferred Stock could be used, under certain
circumstances, as a method of preventing a takeover of the Company and could
permit the Board of Directors, without any action by holders of the Common
Stock, to issue Preferred Stock which could adversely affect the rights of
holders of the Common Stock, including loss of voting control. The issuance of
any series of Preferred Stock and the relative powers, preferences, rights,
qualifications, limitations and restrictions of such series, if and when
established, will depend upon, among other things, the future capital needs of
the Company, the then-existing market conditions and other facts that, in the
judgment 

                                       26
<PAGE>
 
of the Board of Directors, might warrant the issuance of Preferred Stock. The
Company has no present plans, agreements or understandings to issue any shares
of Preferred Stock.

OKLAHOMA LAW AND CERTAIN CHARTER PROVISIONS

     The Company's Certificate of Incorporation provides that, to the fullest
extent permitted by the Oklahoma General Corporation Act, its directors shall
not be liable for monetary damages for breach of the directors' fiduciary duty
of care to the Company and its shareholders. The provision in the Certificate of
Incorporation does not eliminate the duty of care and in appropriate
circumstances, equitable remedies such as injunctive or other forms of non-
monetary relief will remain available under Oklahoma law. However, such remedies
may not be effective in all cases. In addition, each director will continue to
be subject to liability for breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the
Company, as well as for acts or omissions not in good faith or involving
intentional misconduct, for knowing violations of law, for actions leading to
improper personal benefit to the director, and for payment of dividends or
approval of stock repurchases or redemptions that are unlawful under Oklahoma
law. The provision also does not affect a director's responsibilities under any
other law, such as the state or federal securities laws.

     Under the Oklahoma General Corporation Act, the Company has broad powers to
indemnify its directors and officers against liabilities they may incur in such
capacities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. The Company's
Certificate of Incorporation provides that the Company shall indemnify its
directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by the Oklahoma General
Corporation Act, except as to any action, suit or proceeding brought by or on
behalf of such persons without prior approval of the Board of Directors. The
Certificate of Incorporation requires the Company to indemnify such persons
against expenses, judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts incurred in
connection with any proceedings, except for certain proceedings brought by or on
behalf of such persons as indicated above, whether actual or threatened, to
which any such person may be made a party by reason of the fact that such person
is or was a director or an officer of the Company, or is or was serving at the
request of the Company as a director or officer of another enterprise, provided
such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed
to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, and with respect
to any criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was
unlawful. However, in the case of a derivative action, an officer or director
will not be entitled to indemnification in respect of any claim, issue or matter
as to which such person is adjudged to be liable to the Company, unless and only
to the extent that the court in which the action was brought determines that
such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for expenses.

     In addition, the Company has entered into Indemnity Agreements with each
director of the Company which require the Company to indemnify such persons
against certain liabilities and expenses incurred by any such persons by reason
of their status or service as directors or officers of the Company and which set
forth procedures that will apply in the event of a claim for indemnification
under such agreements. The Company believes that these agreements enhance its
ability to attract and retain highly qualified directors.

     As of the date of this Prospectus, there is no pending litigation or
proceeding involving a director or officer of the Company as to which
indemnification is being sought nor is the Company aware of any threatened
litigation that may result in claims for indemnification by any officer or
director.

TRANSFER AGENT

     Liberty Bank and Trust Company of Oklahoma City, N.A. is the transfer agent
and registrar for the Common Stock.

                                       27
<PAGE>
 
                             SELLING SHAREHOLDERS

     The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the
beneficial ownership of the Company's Common Stock as of May 1, 1996 by each of
the Selling Shareholders. Except as otherwise indicated in the footnotes to this
table, the Company believes that each Selling Shareholder has sole voting and
investment power with respect to the shares indicated as beneficially owned,
subject to applicable community property laws. For a description of related
party transactions, see "Business - Merchandise Buying Office and Distribution
Center."

<TABLE>     
<CAPTION>
                                    SHARES BENEFICIALLY                         SHARES OWNED BENEFICIALLY   
                                 OWNED PRIOR TO OFFERING                            AFTER OFFERING(1)      
                                 -----------------------                            -----------------       
     SELLING SHAREHOLDERS        NUMBER         PERCENT        OFFERED(1)       NUMBER            PERCENT  
     --------------------        ------         -------        ----------       ------            -------  
<S>                              <C>            <C>            <C>              <C>               <C>                
Harold G. Powell(2)(6)           513,003        10.3%          92,500           328,003             6.1%
                                 
The Security National Bank       638,943        12.9%          92,500           546,443            10.2%
    and Trust Company of         
    Norman, as Trustee (3)(6)    
                                 
Rebecca Powell Casey(4)(6)       750,678        15.0%          45,000           705,678            13.1%
                                 
Lisa Powell Hunt(5)(6)           364,813         7.3%          15,000           349,813             6.5%
</TABLE>       

____________________

   
(1) Except as otherwise indicated, assumes the Underwriters' over-allotment
    option is not exercised.  See "Under writing."  If the Underwriters' over-
    allotment option is exercised in full, the Selling Shareholders intend to
    sell additional shares as follows: Harold G. Powell - 22,875 additional
    shares; and The Security National Bank and Trust Company of Norman, as
    Trustee ("Security") - 13,875 additional shares.  Sale of such additional
    shares will result in beneficial ownership after the offering as follows:
    Harold G. Powell - 291,253 shares (5.4%); and Security - 532,568 shares
    (9.9%).    

(2) Harold G. Powell is Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company.  The
    shares indicated as beneficially owned by Mr. Powell include (i) 21,318
    shares that Mr. Powell has the right to acquire upon exercise of currently
    exercisable stock options granted under the Company's 1993 Performance and
    Equity Incentive Plan and (ii) 273,865 shares held by Security, as Trustee
    of the Elizabeth M. Powell Trust A, over which Mr. Powell possesses a
    general power of appointment exercisable at his death.  The shares indicated
    as beneficially owned by Mr. Powell do not include 365,078 shares held by
    Security, as Trustee of the Elizabeth M. Powell Trust B, over which Mr.
    Powell may be deemed to have shared voting power.

(3) Consists of 273,865 shares held by Security, as Trustee of the Elizabeth M.
    Powell Trust A, and 365,078 shares held by Security, as Trustee of the
    Elizabeth M. Powell Trust B.  All of the shares being sold by Security are
    held by Security in its capacity as Trustee of the Elizabeth M. Powell Trust
    A.  The shares held by Security, as Trustee of the Elizabeth M. Powell Trust
    A, are also included in the shares indicated as beneficially owned by Mr.
    Powell. See footnote (2) above.

   
(4) Rebecca Powell Casey is Chief Executive Officer and Vice Chairman of the
    Board of Directors of the Company. The shares indicated as beneficially
    owned by Ms. Casey include (i) 23,028 shares that Ms. Powell has the right
    to acquire upon exercise of currently exercisable stock options granted
    under the Company's 1993 Performance and Equity Incentive Plan and (ii)
    91,068 shares held by Ms. Casey as custodian for the benefit of her minor
    children. The shares indicated as beneficially owned by Ms. Casey do not
    include 294,846 shares held by Michael T. Casey, a director of the Company
    and the spouse of Ms. Casey, as to which shares Ms. Casey disclaims
    beneficial ownership. Ms. Casey is the daughter of Harold G. Powell.    

                                       28
<PAGE>
 
(5) Lisa Powell Hunt is a director of the Company.  The shares indicated as
    beneficially owned by Ms. Hunt include (i) 4,725 shares that Ms. Hunt has
    the right to acquire upon exercise of currently exercisable stock options
    granted under the Company's 1993 Performance and Equity Incentive Plan and
    (ii) 73,411 shares held by Ms. Hunt as custodian for the benefit of her
    minor children.  The shares indicated as beneficially owned by Ms. Hunt do
    not include 30,356 shares held by the spouse of Ms. Hunt, as to which shares
    Ms. Hunt disclaims beneficial ownership.  Ms. Hunt is the daughter of Harold
    G. Powell.

(6) Pursuant to a Shareholders Agreement, effective August 18, 1987, Harold G.
    Powell, Rebecca Powell Casey, Lisa Powell Hunt, Security and certain other
    shareholders have agreed to vote the Common Stock held by them in accordance
    with the decision of those holding a majority of the shares of Common Stock
    subject to the Shareholders Agreement.  Such group of shareholders may be
    treated as the beneficial owners of 2,756,478 shares, or approximately 54.7%
    of the outstanding Common Stock of the Company.  Except as otherwise
    indicated above, the shares indicated as beneficially owned by each Selling
    Shareholder do not include shares held by other members of the group.

                                 UNDERWRITING

   
     Under the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in an Underwriting
Agreement dated the date hereof (the "Underwriting Agreement"), Scott &
Stringfellow, Inc. (the "Underwriter") has agreed to purchase, and the Company
and the Selling Shareholders have agreed to sell to the Underwriter, the number
of shares of Common Stock set forth opposite the Underwriter's name below:    

   
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                    Underwriter             Number of Shares
                    -----------             ----------------
             <S>                            <C> 
             Scott & Stringfellow, Inc.          645,000
                                                 -------
                                Total            645,000
                                                 =======
</TABLE>    

     The Underwriting Agreement provides that the obligation of the Underwriter
to purchase shares of Common Stock is subject to the approval of certain legal
matters by counsel and certain other conditions. The Underwriter is obligated to
take and pay for all such shares of Common Stock, if any are taken.

     The Underwriter proposes initially to offer such shares of Common Stock
directly to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover page
of this Prospectus and to certain dealers at such price less a concession not in
excess of $0.65 per share. The Underwriter may allow, and such dealers may
allow, a concession not in excess of  $0.10 per share to certain other dealers.
After the shares of Common Stock are released for sale to the public, the
offering price and such concessions may be changed.
    
     The Company and the Selling Shareholders have granted to the Underwriter an
option, expiring at the close of business on the 30th day after the date of this
Prospectus, to purchase up to 96,750 additional shares of Common Stock at the
public offering price, less the underwriting discount. The Underwriter may
exercise such option solely for the purpose of covering over-allotments, if any.
     

     The Company and certain of its shareholders have agreed not to offer, sell,
contract to sell or otherwise dispose of any shares of Common Stock or any
securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of Common
Stock, for a period of 120 days after the date hereof, without the prior written
consent of Scott & Stringfellow, Inc., with certain limited exceptions.

     The Company and the Selling Shareholders have agreed to indemnify the
Underwriter against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the
Securities Act.

                                       29
<PAGE>
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS

     The validity of the issuance of the shares of Common Stock offered hereby
will be passed upon for the Company by Crowe & Dunlevy, A Professional
Corporation, Tulsa, Oklahoma. Gary C. Rawlinson, a shareholder and director of
Crowe & Dunlevy, is a director of the Company and is the beneficial owner of
9,962 shares of Common Stock, including 4,725 shares issuable upon exercise of
outstanding options to purchase Common Stock granted to Mr. Rawlinson in
connection with his service as a director. Certain legal matters in connection
with the offering will be passed upon for the Underwriter by Hunton & Williams,
Richmond, Virginia.

                                    EXPERTS

   
     The consolidated balance sheets of the Company and subsidiaries as of
February 3, 1996 and January 28, 1995, and the related consolidated statements
of earnings, shareholders' equity, and cash flows for the 53-week period ended
February 3, 1996 and 52-week periods ended January 28, 1995 and January 29,
1994, have been included and incorporated by reference herein and in the
Registration Statement in reliance upon the report of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP,
independent certified public accountants, appearing elsewhere and incorporated
by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in
accounting and auditing.    

                                       30
<PAGE>
 
                  INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                   <C>
Independent Auditors' Report .........................................................................F-3

Consolidated Financial Statements:

     Consolidated Balance Sheets
            February 3, 1996, and January 28, 1995....................................................F-4

     Consolidated Statements of Earnings
            53 Weeks Ended February 3, 1996, 52 Weeks Ended January 28, 1995,
            and January 29, 1994......................................................................F-5

     Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity
            53 Weeks Ended February 3, 1996, 52 Weeks Ended January 28, 1995,
            and January 29, 1994......................................................................F-7

     Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
            53 Weeks Ended February 3, 1996, 52 Weeks Ended January 28, 1995,
            and January 29, 1994......................................................................F-8

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements............................................................F-9

   
Interim Consolidated Financial Statements:

     Consolidated Balance Sheets
            May 4, 1996 (unaudited) and February 3, 1996.............................................F-18

     Consolidated Statements of Earnings
            Thirteen Weeks Ended May 4, 1996 (unaudited) and
            April 29, 1995 (unaudited)...............................................................F-20

     Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity
            Thirteen Weeks Ended May 4, 1996 (unaudited) and
            April 29, 1995 (unaudited)...............................................................F-21

     Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
            Thirteen Weeks Ended May 4, 1996 (unaudited) and
            April 29, 1995 (unaudited)...............................................................F-22

Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited).......................................F-23
</TABLE>
     

                                      F-1
<PAGE>
 
                     [THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

                                      F-2
<PAGE>
 
                         INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT



The Board of Directors and Shareholders
Harold's Stores, Inc.:


     We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Harold's
Stores, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of February 3, 1996 and January
28, 1995, and the related consolidated statements of earnings, stockholders'
equity and cash flows for the 53 week period ended February 3, 1996, and the 52
week periods ended January 28, 1995 and January 29, 1994.  These consolidated
financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management.  Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial
statements based on our audits.

     We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

     In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above
present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Harold's
Stores, Inc. and subsidiaries as of February 3, 1996, and January 28, 1995, and
the results of their operations and their cash flows for the 53 week period
ended February 3, 1996, and the 52 week periods ended January 28, 1995, and
January 29, 1994, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.


                                                           KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP


Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
March 29, 1996

                                      F-3
<PAGE>
 
                    HAROLD'S STORES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                    ASSETS
                                (In Thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          February 3, 1996         January 28, 1995
                                                          ----------------         ----------------
<S>                                                       <C>                      <C>             
Current assets:                                                                                    
                                                                                                   
                                                                                                   
Cash and cash equivalents                                          $     2                      109
Trade accounts receivable, less allowance                                                          
  for doubtful accounts of $200 and $175, respectively               4,687                    4,238
Other accounts receivable                                              568                      671
Merchandise inventories                                             21,647                   17,847
Prepaid expenses                                                     1,759                      646
Deferred income taxes                                                  710                      622
                                                                   -------                   ------
                                                                                                   
  Total current assets                                              29,373                   24,133
                                                                   -------                   ------
                                                                                                   
Property and equipment, at cost                                     18,999                   15,186
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization                      (6,097)                  (4,955)
                                                                   -------                   ------
                                                                                                   
  Net property and equipment                                        12,902                   10,231
                                                                   -------                   ------
                                                                                                   
Other assets                                                           334                      297
                                                                   -------                   ------
                                                                                                   
  Total assets                                                     $42,609                   34,661
                                                                   =======                   ====== 
</TABLE>



         See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                      F-4
<PAGE>
 
                    HAROLD'S STORES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                     LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
                       (In Thousands Except Share Data)
                       
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              February 3, 1996            January 28, 1995
                                                              ----------------            ----------------
<S>                                                           <C>                         <C>             
Current liabilities:                                                                                      
                                                                                                          
                                                                                                          
  Current maturities of long-term debt                                 $    75                       4,977
  Accounts payable                                                       4,396                       4,154
  Redeemable gift certificates                                             672                         509
  Accrued bonuses and payroll expenses                                   1,624                       1,129
  Accrued rent expense                                                     241                         257
  Income taxes payable                                                     536                         583
                                                                       -------                      ------
                                                                                                          
     Total current liabilities                                           7,544                      11,609
                                                                       -------                      ------
                                                                                                          
Long-term debt, net of current maturities                                9,540                         594
Deferred income taxes                                                      226                         198
                                                                                                          
Commitments and contingent liabilities (notes 8, 9 and 11)                                                
                                                                                                          
Stockholders' equity:                                                                                     
                                                                                                          
  Preferred stock of $.01 par value                                                                       
  Authorized 1,000,000 shares; none issued                                   -                           -
  Common stock of $.01 par value                                                                          
  Authorized 7,500,000 shares; issued and                                                                 
  outstanding 4,958,181 in 1996, 4,698,174 in 1995                          50                          47
  Additional paid-in capital                                            20,572                      17,491
  Retained earnings                                                      4,677                       4,722
                                                                       -------                      ------
      Total stockholders' equity                                                                          
                                                                        25,299                      22,260
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity                             -------                      ------
                                                                                                          
                                                                       $42,609                      34,661
                                                                       =======                      ====== 
</TABLE>



         See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                      F-5
<PAGE>
 
                    HAROLD'S STORES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
                       (In Thousands Except Share Data)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    53 Weeks Ended        52 Weeks Ended        52 Weeks Ended  
                                                   February 3, 1996      January 28, 1995      January 29, 1994 
                                                   ----------------      ----------------      ---------------- 
<S>                                                <C>                   <C>                   <C>              
Sales                                                    $   94,264                75,795                60,940 
                                                                                                                
Costs and expenses:                                                                                             
  Costs of goods sold (including occupancy                                                                      
  and central buying expenses, exclusive of                                                                     
   items shown separately below)                             59,831                49,388                40,591 
                                                                                                                
   Selling, general and administrative expenses              19,344                14,972                12,072 
                                                                                                                
   Advertising expense                                        7,807                 5,912                 3,968 
                                                                                                                
   Depreciation and amortization                              2,185                 1,710                 1,409 
                                                                                                                
   Interest expense                                             452                   274                   117 
                                                         ----------             ---------             --------- 
                                                             89,619                72,256                58,157 
                                                         ----------             ---------             --------- 
                                                                                                                
   Earnings before income taxes                               4,645                 3,539                 2,783 
                                                                                                                
Provision for income taxes                                    1,858                 1,451                 1,171 
                                                         ----------             ---------             --------- 
                                                                                                                
   Net earnings                                          $    2,787                 2,088                 1,612 
                                                         ==========             =========             ========= 
                                                                                                                
Earnings per common share                                $      .56                   .42                   .35 
Weighted average number of common shares                 ==========             =========             ========= 
  outstanding                                                                                                   
                                                          5,000,033             4,923,951             4,598,846 
                                                         ==========             =========             =========  
</TABLE>



         See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                      F-6
<PAGE>
 
                    HAROLD'S STORES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
                            (Dollars in Thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 53 Weeks Ended            52 Weeks Ended            52 Weeks Ended  
                                                February 3, 1996          January 28, 1995          January 29, 1994 
                                                -----------------         ----------------          ----------------
<S>                                             <C>                       <C>                       <C>              
Common stock:                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                     
  Balance, beginning of year                             $    47                        43                        33 
                                                                                                                     
Stock dividend (5 percent) in 1996 of                                                                                
235,868 shares, and (10 percent), 426,970                                                                            
shares in 1995, and 386, 549 shares in 1994                    3                         4                         4 
                                                                                                                     
Stock bonuses, 1,301 shares in 1996, 645                                                                             
shares in 1995, and 1,315 shares in 1994                       -                         -                         1 
                                                                                                                     
Employee Stock Purchase Plan 22,838                                                                                  
shares in 1996, and 17,712 shares in 1995                      -                         -                         - 
                                                                                                                     
Sale of 516,000 shares                                         -                         -                         5 
                                                         -------                    ------                    ------ 
                                                                                                                     
  Balance, end of year                                   $    50                        47                        43 
                                                         =======                    ======                    ====== 
Additional paid-in capital:                                                                                          
                                                                                                                     
  Balance, beginning of year                             $17,491                    13,047                     6,945 
                                                                                                                     
Stock dividend (5 percent) in 1996 and (10                                                                           
percent) in 1995 and 1994                                  2,827                     4,265                     3,090 
                                                                                                                     
Stock bonuses                                                 13                         6                         8 
                                                                                                                     
Sale of 516,000 shares, net of issuance cost                                                                         
of $474,000                                                    -                         -                     3,004 
                                                                                                                     
Employee stock purchase plan                                 241                       173                         - 
                                                         -------                    ------                    ------ 
                                                                                                                     
  Balance, end of year                                   $20,572                    17,491                    13,047 
                                                         =======                    ======                    ====== 
                                                                                                                     
Retained earnings:                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                     
  Balance, beginning of year                             $ 4,722                     6,906                     8,388 
                                                                                                                     
Net earnings                                               2,787                     2,088                     1,612 
                                                                                                                     
Stock dividend (5 percent) in 1996 and (10                                                                           
percent) in 1995 and 1994                                 (2,832)                   (4,272       )            (3,094)
                                                         -------                    ------                    ------ 
                                                                                                                     
Balance, end of year                                     $ 4,677                     4,722                     6,906 
                                                         =======                    ======                    ======  
</TABLE>


         See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                      F-7
<PAGE>
 
                    HAROLD'S STORES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                (In Thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     53 Weeks Ended           52 Weeks Ended           52 Weeks Ended  
                                                     February 3, 1996         January 28, 1995         January 29, 1994
                                                     ------------------       -----------------        ----------------
<S>                                                  <C>                      <C>                      <C>             
Cash flows from operating activities:                                                                                  
Net earnings                                                 $  2,787                 $  2,088                    1,612
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash                                                                      
 provided by (used in) operating activities:                                                                           
 Depreciation and amortization                                  2,185                    1,710                    1,409
 Loss (gain) on sale of assets                                      1                       (4)                      (6)
 Shares issued under employee incentive plans                     255                      179                        9
Changes in assets and liabilities:                                                                                     
 Increase in trade and other accounts receivable                 (346)                    (419)                    (999)
 Increase in merchandise inventories                           (3,800)                  (5,200)                  (1,891)
 Increase in income taxes receivable                                -                        9                       37
 Deferred income taxes (benefits)                                 (60)                     (95)                      29
 Decrease (increase) in other assets                              (37)                       2                     (222)
 Increase in prepaid expenses                                  (1,113)                    (266)                     (35)
 Increase (decrease) in accounts payable                          242                    1,326                     (393)
 Increase (decrease) in income taxes payable                      (47)                     583                        -
 Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses                          642                      656                      (59)
                                                              --------                 --------                  -------
Net cash provided by (used in) operating                          709                      569                     (509)
activities                                                    --------                 --------                  -------
                                                                                                                       
Cash flows from investing activities:                                                                                  
 Acquisition of property and equipment                         (5,159)                  (3,994)                  (2,909)
 Proceeds from disposal of property and                                                                                
  equipment                                                       302                       42                      105
                                                              --------                 --------                  -------
Net cash used in investing activities                          (4,857)                  (3,952)                  (2,804)
                                                              --------                 --------                 -------- 
                                                                                                                       
Cash flows from financing activities:                                                                                  
 Advances on debt                                              32,652                   26,357                   18,325 
 Payments of debt                                             (28,608)                 (23,005)                 (18,065) 
 Proceeds of common stock offering                                  -                        -                    3,009 
 Payments of fractional shares issued with stock                                                                        
   dividend                                                        (3)                      (3)                       -  
                                                              --------                 --------                  ------- 
Net cash provided by financing activities                       4,041                    3,349                    3,269 
                                                              --------                 --------                  ------- 
                                                                                                                       
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents                        (107)                     (34)                     (44) 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year                    109                      143                      187 
                                                              --------                 --------                  ------- 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year                      $     2                      109                      143 
                                                              ========                 ========                  ======= 
                                                                                                                       
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow                                                                                   
information:                                                                                                           
Cash paid during the year for:                                $ 1,965                      954                    1,025 
                                                              ========                 ========                  ======= 
 Income taxes                                                 $   452                      291                      139 
                                                              ========                 ========                  =======  
 Interest  
</TABLE>

         See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                      F-8
<PAGE>
 
                    HAROLD'S STORES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                  NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
           FEBRUARY 3, 1996, JANUARY 28, 1995, AND JANUARY 29, 1994

1.   SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Nature of Entity
- ----------------

     Harold's Stores, Inc., an Oklahoma corporation (the "Company"), operates a
chain of "updated traditional", classic styled ladies' and men's specialty
apparel stores.  The Company offers its merchandise in 29 stores primarily
across the South and Southwest, with 10 stores located in Texas, and through its
mail order catalog.  The product development and private label programs provide
an exclusive selection of upscale merchandise to the consumer.  In addition, the
in-house advertising and catalog production capabilities create opportunities
for vertical integration.

Basis of Presentation
- ---------------------

     The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company
and its subsidiaries, all of which are wholly owned. All significant
intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Definition of Fiscal Year
- -------------------------

     The Company has a 52-53 week fiscal year which ends on the Saturday closest
to January 31.  Fiscal years 1996, 1995 and 1994 ended February 3, 1996, January
28, 1995, and January 29, 1994, respectively.

Accounts Receivable and Finance Charges
- ---------------------------------------

     Trade accounts receivable primarily represent the Company's credit card
receivables from customers.  These customers are primarily residents of Oklahoma
and Texas.  Finance charges on these revolving receivables are imposed at
various annual rates in accordance with the state laws in which the Company
operates, and are recognized in income when billed to the customers.  Minimum
monthly payments are required generally equal to ten percent of the out
standing balance.  The average liquidation rate at February 3, 1996, was
approximately 4 months.  Finance charge revenue is netted against selling,
general and administrative expenses and was approximately $705,000, $578,000,
and $480,000, in fiscal 1996, fiscal 1995, and fiscal 1994, respectively.

Merchandise Inventories
- -----------------------

     Merchandise inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market using the
retail method of accounting. Inventories of raw materials are valued at the
lower of cost or market, and approximate $5,600,000 and $3,600,000 in fiscal
1996, and fiscal 1995, respectively.

Depreciation, Amortization, and Maintenance and Repairs
- -------------------------------------------------------

     Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated
useful lives of the related assets. Leasehold improvements are amortized over
the shorter of the life of the respective leases or the expected life of the
improvements.  The following are the estimated useful lives used to compute
depreciation and amortization:

<TABLE> 
        <S>                                               <C>    
        Buildings                                           30 years
        Leasehold improvements                            5-10 years
        Furniture and equipment                            4-7 years
</TABLE> 

                                      F-9
<PAGE>
 
     Maintenance and repairs are charged directly to expense as incurred, while
betterments and renewals are generally capitalized in the property accounts.
When an item is retired or otherwise disposed of, the cost and applicable
accumulated depreciation are removed from the respective accounts and the
resulting gain or loss is recognized.


Preopening Expenses and Catalog Costs
- -------------------------------------

     Costs associated with the opening of new stores are expensed during the
first full month of operations. The costs are carried as prepaid expenses prior
to the store opening. Such costs included approximately $535,000 at February 3,
1996, and $67,000 at January 28, 1995.

     The Company expenses all non-direct advertising as incurred and defers the
direct costs of producing its mail order catalogs.  These costs are amortized
over the estimated sales period of the catalogs, generally three to four months.
At February 3, 1996 and January 28, 1995 approximately $257,000 and $220,000 of
deferred catalog costs are included in other assets, respectively.  The Company
incurred approximately $7,807,000, $5,912,000, and $3,968,000 in adver  tising
expenses of which approximately $4,818,000, $3,678,000, and $2,157,000 were
related to the mail order catalogs during fiscal years 1996, 1995 and 1994,
respectively.

Income Taxes
- ------------

     Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax
consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement
carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax
bases and operating loss and tax credit carry forwards. Deferred tax assets and
liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable
income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be
recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a
change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the
enactment date.

Net Earnings Per Common Share
- -----------------------------

     Net earnings per common share are based upon the weighted average number of
common shares outstanding during the periods restated for the five percent stock
dividend in fiscal 1996, and the ten percent stock dividends in fiscal 1995, and
fiscal 1994 and includes common stock equivalents of 53,181 in fiscal 1996.

Use of Estimates
- ----------------

     The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that effect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting
period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Reclassifications
- -----------------

     Certain comparative prior year amounts in the consolidated financial
statements have been reclassified to conform with the current year presentation.

2.   FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

     The recorded amounts for cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable,
accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate fair value because of the
short maturity of these financial instruments.  The Company's debt is at a
variable interest rate; therefore, book value approximates fair value.

                                      F-10
<PAGE>
 
3.   PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

     Property and equipment at February 3, 1996 and January 28, 1995 consisted
of the following (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              1996              1995           
                                                              ----              ----           
<S>                                                       <C>                  <C>             
Land                                                      $     665               590                              
Buildings                                                     2,796             1,987                              
Leasehold improvements                                        4,934             4,310                              
Furniture and equipment                                      10,604             8,299                              
                                                          ---------            ------                              
                                                          $  18,999            15,186                              
                                                          =========            ======                              
</TABLE> 
 
4.   NOTE PAYABLE AND LONG-TERM DEBT
 
Borrowings under short-term agreements were as follows (in thousands):

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                              1996              1995             1994           
                                                              ----              ----             ----           
<S>                                                          <C>               <C>              <C>             
Balance at end of fiscal year                                $    -            4,902            1,475                       
Weighted average interest rate at end of fiscal year              -             8.5%             6.0%                      
Maximum balance outstanding during the year                  $7,558            5,298            2,950                       
Average balance outstanding during the year                  $5,552            2,961            1,051                       
Weighted average interest rate during the year                 8.6%             7.4%             6.1%                      
</TABLE> 
 
Average outstanding balances in the above table are based on the number of days
outstanding.  Weighted average interest rates are the result of dividing the
related interest expense by average borrowings outstanding.

Long-term debt at February 3, 1996, and January 28, 1995 consisted of the
following (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 1996              1995
                                                                                 ----              ---- 
<S>                                                                             <C>              <C>
Borrowings under line of credit, bearing interest at a variable rate
(7.8% at February 3, 1996) payable monthly, principal due June
30, 1997.                                                                       $9,021                -
 
Note payable to bank, secured by building and land with net book
value of $335 at February 3, 1996, bearing interest at a variable
rate (8.0% at February 3, 1996), due in monthly installments of
principal of $6 plus accrued interest, with final payment due                         
September 2002.                                                                    594              669 
                                                                                ------           ------
Total long-term debt                                                             9,615              669
                                                                                     
   Less current maturities of long-term debt                                        75               75
                                                                                ------           ------   
Long-term debt, net of current maturities                                       $9,540              594 
                                                                                ======           ======
</TABLE> 

                                      F-11
<PAGE>
 
The annual maturities of the above long-term debt as of February 3, 1996 are as
follows (in thousands):

<TABLE> 
                      <S>                                    <C>    
                      Fiscal year ending                            
                      1997                                   $   75                                               
                      1998                                    9,096                                               
                      1999                                       75                                               
                      2000                                       75                                               
                      2001                                       75                                               
                      2002 and subsequent                       219                                               
                                                             ------                                               
                                                                                                                  
                      Total                                  $9,615                                               
                                                             ======                                          
</TABLE>

     During fiscal 1995, the Company's line of credit was classified as short-
term. On August 22, 1995, the line of credit available was renewed with a two-
year maturity and increased to a $12,000,000 credit facility. Subsequent to
February 3, 1996, the Company increased the above line of credit to $15,000,000.
Additionally, a $3,000,000 line of credit was obtained from a separate banking
institution for the purpose of issuing letters of credit.

5.   INCOME TAXES

     Income tax expense (benefit) for the years ended February 3, 1996, January
28, 1995, and January 29, 1994, consisted of the following (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             1996              1995           1994          
                                             -----             ----          ------         
<S>                                         <C>               <C>            <C>            
Current:                                                                                    
  Federal                                   $1,569            1,265            925          
  State                                        349              281            217          
                                            ------            -----          -----          
                                             1,918            1,546          1,142          
Deferred:                                   ------            -----          -----          
  Federal                                                                                   
  State                                        (50)             (79)            23          
                                               (10)             (16)             6          
                                            -------           ------         -----          
                                               (60)             (95)            29          
                                            -------           ------         -----          
                                                                                            
Total                                       $1,858            1,451          1,171          
                                            ======            =====          =====          
</TABLE> 

Income tax expense differs from the normal tax rate as follows: 

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION>
                                              1996             1995           1994          
                                              ----             ----           ----          
<S>                                         <C>               <C>            <C>      
Statutory tax rate                            34%              34%            34%          
Increase in income taxes caused by:                                                         
  State income taxes                            6                6              6           
  Other, net                                    -                1              2           
                                            ------            -----          -----          
                                                                                      
Effective tax rate                            40%              41%            42%          
                                            ======            =====          =====          
</TABLE>

                                      F-12
<PAGE>
 
     The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant
portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities at February 3,
1996 and January 28, 1995 are presented below (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                1996            1995
                                                ----            ----
<S>                                            <C>              <C> 
Deferred tax assets - current:                                      
                                                                    
Allowance for doubtful accounts                $  85              74
Merchandise inventories                          534             528
Deferred compensation                             91              20
                                               -----            ----
Deferred tax liability - noncurrent:                                
                                               $ 710             622
Property and equipment                         =====            ====
                                                                   
                                               $ 226             198
                                               =====            ====
</TABLE>

     The net deferred tax asset relates solely to future deductible temporary
differences and there is no valuation allowance.  Management believes that it is
more likely than not that the Company will fully realize the gross deferred tax
assets; however, there can be no assurances that the Company will generate the
necessary adjusted taxable income in any future periods.

6.   STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY AND STOCK OPTIONS

     The Company has authorized 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value
$.01 per share.  This preferred stock may be issued in one or more series and
the terms and rights of such stock will be determined by the Board of Directors.
No preferred shares were issued and outstanding at either February 3, 1996, or
January 28, 1995.

     The Company has reserved 1,000,000 shares of its common stock for issuance
to key employees under its current stock option and equity incentive plan which
was adopted in April 1993 and amended June 1995.  The plan has a term of ten
years.  The Board of Directors may grant incentive or non-qualified stock
options, restricted stock, stock appreciation rights and other stock-based and
cash awards under the provisions of the plan.  The exercise price of incentive
stock options is the fair market value of the stock at the date of the grant,
plus ten percent if the employee possesses more than ten percent of the total
combined voting power of all classes of the Company's stock.  Options granted
may have a term of up to ten years, except that incentive stock options granted
to stockholders who have more than ten percent of the Company's voting stock at
the time of the grant may have a term of up to five years.  Any unexercised
portion of the options will automatically and without notice terminate upon the
applicable anniversary of the issuance date or termination of employment.  The
following table summarizes the stock option activity for the periods indicated:

                                      F-13
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    Range of     
                                                             Shares             Exercise Prices 
                                                            --------            --------------- 
               <S>                                          <C>                 <C>             
               Options outstanding, fiscal 1993              33,033                       $6.30 
                                                                                                
               Granted                                            -                           - 
               Exercised                                          -                           - 
               Terminated                                    (3,809)                       6.30 
               Options outstanding, fiscal 1994              29,224                        6.30 
                                                                                                
               Granted                                      303,074                   8.42-9.29 
               Exercised                                          -                             
               Terminated                                   (21,484)                  6.30-9.29 
               Options outstanding, fiscal 1995             310,814                   6.30-9.29 
                                                                                                
               Granted                                       33,075                       10.48 
               Exercised                                       (304)                      10.48 
               Terminated                                   (12,309)                  6.30-9.29 
               Options outstanding, fiscal 1996             331,276                  6.30-10.48 
                                                                                                
               Options exercisable, fiscal 1996             141,736                  6.30-10.48  
</TABLE>

     The number of shares and exercise prices have been restated to reflect the
five percent stock dividend in fiscal 1996, and the ten percent stock dividends
in fiscal 1995, fiscal 1994, and fiscal 1993.

     Additionally, as of February 3, 1996, restricted stock awards for up to
$32,700 in market value of common stock were outstanding under the plan. These
awards may be exercised over the remaining four-year vesting period in equal
annual installments at the fair market value of common stock on such installment
vesting date. After giving effect to the outstanding and exercised awards, and
based upon the price of common stock on February 3, 1996, the Company may award
666,027 shares or options under the plan.

7.   RETIREMENT AND BENEFIT PLANS
    
     The Company has a profit sharing retirement plan with a 401(k) provision
that allows participants to contribute up to 15 percent of their compensation
before income taxes. Eligible participants are employees at least 21 years of
age with one year of service. The Company's Board of Directors will designate
annually the amount of the profit sharing contribution as well as the percentage
of participants' compensation that it will match as 401(k) contributions. For
the years ended February 3, 1996, January 28, 1995, and January 29, 1994, the
Company contributed approximately $81,000, $43,000, and $24,000, respectively,
to the 401(k) plan.      

     The Company has reserved 200,000 shares of common stock for employees under
its stock purchase plan which covers all employees who meet minimum age and
service requirements. The Company's Board of Directors will determine from time
to time the amount of any matching contribution as well as the percentage of
participants' compensation that it will match as purchase contributions. The
purchase price of shares covered under the plan is fair market value as of the
date of purchase in the case of newly issued shares and the actual price paid in
the case of open market purchases. The plan was implemented in January 1994 and
there was no matching contribution in fiscal year 1994. For the years ended
February 3, 1996, and January 28, 1995 the Company's matching contributions were
approximately $48,000 and $35,000, and approximately 23,000 and 18,000 shares
were issued, respectively.

                                      F-14
<PAGE>
 
8.   RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

     Rent on the Norman, Oklahoma store and certain related facilities is paid
to parties related to the Company's Chairman. The store lease terms in 1996,
1995, and 1994 provided for payment of percentage rent equal to four percent of
sales plus certain ancillary costs. During the years ended February 3, 1996,
January 28, 1995, and January 29, 1994, the total of such rent for the store and
certain related facilities was approximately $140,000, $133,000, and $136,000,
respectively.

     The Company leases certain office space and a distribution center facility
from a limited partnership whose partners are stockholders and directors of the
Company. The term of the office space lease is sixteen years commencing April 1,
1996, with annual rent payments of $158,000 plus insurance, utilities, and
property taxes until April, 2000, at which time the rent will be $180,000 plus
insurance, utilities and property taxes, increasing $2,500 per year until
expiration of the lease. The term of the distribution center lease is ten (10)
years commencing December 1, 1992. Rent payments are approximately $64,000 per
year payable in monthly installments plus utilities, insurance, and property
taxes.

     The Company has an option to purchase the distribution center for a
purchase price equal to the greater of the adjusted cost basis of the lessor at
the time of closing or 90% of appraised value, exercisable through the fifth
year of the lease. At the end of the third lease year on November 30, 1995, the
lessor's adjusted cost of the distribution center was approximately $798,000.

     See note 11 for information concerning the employment contracts with the
Company's Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President.

9.   FACILITY LEASES

     The Company conducts substantially all of its retail operations from leased
store premises under leases that will expire within the next ten years. Several
of such leases contain renewal options exercisable at the option of the Company.
In addition to minimum rental payments, certain leases provide for payment of
taxes, maintenance, and percentage rentals based upon sales in excess of
stipulated amounts.

     Minimum rental commitments for store and distribution premises and office
space (excluding renewal options) under noncancelable operating leases having a
term of more than one year as of February 3, 1996, were as follows (in
thousands):

<TABLE>
               <S>                                <C>      
               Fiscal year ending:                        
               1997                               $ 2,827 
               1998                                 2,851 
               1999                                 2,523 
               2000                                 2,491 
               2001                                 2,314 
               2002 and subsequent                  9,815 
                                                  ------- 
                   Total                          $22,821 
                                                  =======  
</TABLE>

                                      F-15
<PAGE>
 
Total rental expense for the years ended February 3, 1996, January 28, 1995, and
January 29, 1994, was as follows (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                1996        1995         1994  
                               ------       -----        ----- 
<S>                            <C>          <C>          <C>   
Base rent                      $2,222       1,791        1,461 
Additional amounts computed                                    
  as percentage of sales        1,112         922          666 
                               ------       -----        ----- 
                                                               
  Total                        $3,334       2,713        2,127 
                               ======       =====        =====  
</TABLE>

10.  BUSINESS CONCENTRATIONS

     During fiscal 1996 and fiscal 1995, more than 90% and 80%, respectively, of
the ladies' apparel sales were attributable to the Company's product development
and private label programs. The breakdown of total sales between ladies' and
men's apparel was approximately 80% and 20% for fiscal 1996, and 78% and 22% for
fiscal 1995, respectively.

     The product development programs result in a substantial portion of the
Company's purchases of raw materials being concentrated among a small group of
vendors, of which some are located outside of the United States. CMT
Enterprises, Inc. acts as the Company's agent in the purchase of the raw
materials, including fabrics, linings, buttons, etc., and supervises the
manufacturing process of the Company's merchandise with manufacturing
contractors. In the event of the termination of the CMT relationship or other of
the Company's vendors, management believes that in most instances more than one
new vendor would be required to replace the loss of a principal vendor. Although
management believes that replacement vendors could be located, if any buying
relationship is terminated and until replacement vendors are located, the
operating results of the Company could be materially adversely affected.

     The Company's sales are directly impacted by regional and local economics
and consumer confidence. The amount of disposable income available to consumers,
as well as their perception of the current and future direction of the economy,
impact their level of purchases. The consumer demand for the Company's apparel
fluctuates according to changes in customer preferences dictated by fashion and
season. In addition, the Company's sales are subject to seasonal influences,
with the major portion of sales being realized during the fall season, which
includes the back-to-school and the holiday selling seasons. Such fluctuations
could affect sales and the valuation of inventory, since the merchandise is
placed in the production process, or ordered, well in advance of the season and
sometimes before fashion trends are evidenced by consumer purchases.

11.  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

     The Company issues letters of credit which are used principally in overseas
buying, cooperative buying programs, and for other contract purchases. At
February 3, 1996, the Company had outstanding, pursuant to such facility,
approximately $225,000 in letters of credit to secure orders of merchandise from
various domestic and international vendors. Subsequent to year-end the Company
renegotiated the line of credit as discussed in Note 4.

     The Company currently has an employment agreement with the Chairman of the
Board which continues until January 31, 1998. Pursuant to this agreement, dated
January 31, 1993, he is paid an annual salary of $180,000 plus an annual
performance bonus and deferred annual compensation of $25,000. Subject to
certain terms, at the end of the agreement, the Chairman's employment will be
converted to that of a part-time consultant for a period of ten years at an
annual salary of $50,000.

     The Company also has employment agreements with the Chief Executive Officer
and the President which terminate on January 31, 1998. The Chief Executive
Officer's agreement, dated January 31, 1993, and amended 

                                      F-16
<PAGE>
 
January 31, 1995, provides for annual compensation of $220,000 plus an annual
performance bonus.  The President's agreement, dated January 31, 1993 and
amended January 31, 1995, provides for annual compensation of $160,000 plus an
annual performance bonus.  Neither of these contracts provides for deferred
compensation or part-time consultant positions after the termination dates of
such contracts.

     The Company is involved in various claims, administrative agency
proceedings and litigation arising out of the normal conduct of its business.
Although the ultimate outcome of such litigation cannot be predicted, the
management of the Company, after discussions with counsel, believes that
resulting liability, if any, will not have a material effect upon the Company's
financial position or results of operations.

12.  QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited - in thousands, except per share data)

Summarized quarterly financial results are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         First       Second     Third         Fourth     
                                         -----       ------     -----         ------     
<S>                                     <C>          <C>        <C>           <C>        
53 Weeks Ended February 3, 1996                                                          
- -------------------------------                                                        
Sales                                   $21,316      19,069     25,415        28,464     
Gross profit on sales                     7,448       7,251      9,245        10,489     
Net earnings                                486         508        796           997     
Net earnings per common share               .10         .10        .16           .20     
                                                                                         
52 Weeks Ended January 28, 1995                                                          
- -------------------------------
Sales                                   $16,753      15,415     21,031        22,596     
Gross profit on sales                     5,656       5,403      7,494         7,854     
Net earnings                                222         449        632           785     
Net earnings per common share               .04         .09        .13           .16      
</TABLE>

                                      F-17
<PAGE>
 
    
                    HAROLD'S STORES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                    ASSETS
                                (In Thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  May 4, 1996         February 3, 1996
                                                  ------------        -----------------
                                                  (unaudited)                         
<S>                                               <C>                 <C>             
Current assets:                                                                       
    Cash                                              $   249                        2
    Trade accounts receivable, less allowance                                         
      for doubtful accounts of $200                     5,170                    4,687
    Other accounts receivable                             534                      568
    Merchandise inventories                            20,631                   21,647
    Prepaid expenses                                    2,162                    1,759
    Deferred income taxes                                 710                      710
                                                      -------                   ------
                                                                                      
    Total current assets                               29,456                   29,373
                                                      -------                   ------
                                                                                      
Property and equipment, at cost                        20,061                   18,999
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization         (6,684)                  (6,097)
                                                      -------                   ------
                                                                                      
    Net property and equipment                         13,377                   12,902
                                                      -------                   ------
                                                                                      
Other assets                                              103                      334
                                                      -------                   ------
                                                                                      
    Total assets                                      $42,936                   42,609
                                                      =======                   ====== 
</TABLE>



     See accompanying notes to interim consolidated financial statements.
     

                                      F-18
<PAGE>
 
    
                    HAROLD'S STORES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                     LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
                       (In Thousands Except Share Data)
                       
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION>
                                                               May 4, 1996          February 3, 1996
                                                               ------------         ----------------
                                                               (unaudited)                          
<S>                                                            <C>                  <C>             
Current liabilities:                                                                                
                                                                                                    
  Current maturities of long-term debt                             $    75                        75
  Accounts payable                                                   4,175                     4,396
  Redeemable gift certificates                                         488                       672
  Accrued bonuses and payroll expenses                               1,728                     1,624
  Accrued rent expense                                                 180                       241
  Income taxes payable                                                 640                       536
                                                                   -------                    ------
                                                                                                    
    Total current liabilities                                        7,286                     7,544
                                                                   -------                    ------
                                                                                                    
Long-term debt, net of current maturities                            9,418                     9,540
Deferred income taxes                                                  226                       226
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
Stockholders' equity:                                                                               
                                                                                                    
  Preferred stock of $.01 par value                                                                 
   Authorized 1,000,000 shares; none issued                              -                         -
  Common stock of $.01 par value                                                                    
   Authorized 7,500,000 shares; issued and                                                          
     outstanding 4,965,245 in May, 4,958,181 in February                50                        50
  Additional paid-in capital                                        20,673                    20,572
  Retained earnings                                                  5,283                     4,677
                                                                   -------                    ------
                                                                                                    
    Total stockholders' equity                                      26,006                    25,299
                                                                   -------                    ------
                                                                                                    
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity                         $42,936                    42,609
                                                                   =======                    ====== 
</TABLE>



     See accompanying notes to interim consolidated financial statements.
     

                                      F-19
<PAGE>
 
    
                    HAROLD'S STORES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
                       (In Thousands Except Share Data)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          13 Weeks Ended      13 Weeks Ended
                                                           May 4, 1996        April 29, 1995
                                                          --------------      --------------
                                                                      (Unaudited)                       
<S>                                                       <C>                 <C>           
Sales                                                            $24,522              21,316
                                                                                            
Costs and expenses:                                                                         
  Costs of goods sold (including occupancy and                                              
   central buying expenses, exclusive of items shown                                        
   separately below)                                              15,891              13,868
                                                                                            
  Selling, general and administrative expenses                     4,854               4,298
                                                                                            
  Advertising                                                      1,976               1,667
                                                                                            
  Depreciation and amortization                                      665                 512
                                                                                            
  Interest expense                                                   126                 160
                                                                  ------              ------
                                                                                            
                                                                  23,512              20,505
                                                                  ------              ------
                                                                                            
  Earnings before income taxes                                     1,010                 811
                                                                                            
Provision for income taxes                                           404                 325
                                                                  ------              ------
                                                                                            
  Net earnings                                                   $   606                 486
                                                                 =======              ======
                                                                                            
Net earnings per common share                                    $  .12                 .10
                                                                 =======             ======
Weighted average number of common shares                                                    
  outstanding                                                  5,097,483           4,984,616
                                                              ==========           ========= 
</TABLE>



     See accompanying notes to interim consolidated financial statements.
     
 

                                      F-20
<PAGE>
 
     
                    HAROLD'S STORES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
                            (Dollars in Thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             13 Weeks Ended         13 Weeks Ended
                                               May 4, 1996          April 29, 1995
                                               -----------          --------------
                                                         (Unaudited)
Common stock:
<S>                                          <C>                    <C>
  Balance, beginning and end of period           $    50                   $    47   
                                                 =======                   =======      
 
Additional paid-in capital:

  Balance, beginning of period                   $20,572                    17,491
                                                                                  
  Employee Stock Purchase Plan                       101                        73
                                                 -------                   -------
  Balance, end of period                                                          
                                                 $20,673                    17,564
                                                 =======                   ======= 
Retained earnings:

  Balance, beginning of period                   $ 4,677                     4,722

  Net earnings                                       606                       486
                                                 -------                   -------
  Balance, end of period                         $ 5,283                     5,208
                                                 =======                   =======
</TABLE>


     See accompanying notes to interim consolidated financial statements.
     

                                     F-21
<PAGE>
 
                    HAROLD'S STORES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                (In Thousands)

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      13 Weeks Ended   13 Weeks Ended
                                                        May 4, 1996    April 29, 1995
                                                        ------------   -------------- 
<S>                                                   <C>              <C>
                                                                 (Unaudited)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings                                                 $   606              486
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash
  provided by operating activities:
  Depreciation and amortization                                  665              512
  Loss (gain) on sale of assets                                   (1)               -
  Shares issued under employee incentive plans                   101               73
Changes in assets and liabilities:
  Increase in trade and other accounts receivable               (449)            (916)
  Decrease (increase) in merchandise inventories               1,016            1,260
  Decrease (increase) in other assets                            231              (99)
  Increase in prepaid expenses                                  (403)            (199)
  Increase (decrease) in accounts payable                       (221)             (80)
  Increase (decrease) in income taxes payable                    104             (238)
  Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses                       (141)             118
                                                             --------          -------
Net cash provided by operating activities
                                                               1,508              917
Cash flows from investing activities:                        --------          -------
  Acquisition of property and equipment
  Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment
                                                              (1,224)          (1,135)
Net cash used in investing activities                             85              (70)
                                                             --------          -------
Cash flows from financing activities:
  Advances on note payable                                    (1,139)          (1,205)
  Payments of note payable                                   --------          -------
  Payments of long-term debt
 
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities            6,537            5,790
                                                              (6,640)          (5,032)
Net increase in cash                                             (19)             (19)
Cash at beginning of year                                    --------          -------
 
Cash at end of period                                           (122)             739
                                                             --------          -------
 
                                                                 247              451
                                                                   2              109
                                                             --------          -------
                                                             $   249              560
                                                             ========          =======
</TABLE>

     See accompanying notes to interim consolidated financial statements.
     
                                     F-22
<PAGE>
 
   
                    HAROLD'S STORES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
              NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        MAY 4, 1996 AND APRIL 29, 1995
                                  (Unaudited)

1.   Unaudited Interim Periods
     -------------------------

     In the opinion of the Company's management, all adjustments (all of which
are normal and recurring) have been made which are necessary to fairly state the
financial position of the Company as of May 4, 1996 and the results of its
operations and cash flows for the thirteen-week periods ended May 4, 1996 and
April 29, 1995. The results of operations for the thirteen weeks ended May 4,
1996 and April 29, 1995 are not necessarily indicative of the results of
operations that may be achieved for the entire fiscal year.

2.   Definition of Fiscal Year
     -------------------------

     The Company has a 52-53 week fiscal year which ends on the Saturday closest
to January 31. The period from February 4, 1996 through February 1, 1997, has
been designated as fiscal 1997.

3.   Reclassifications
     -----------------

     Certain comparative prior year amounts in the consolidated financial
statements have been reclassified to conform with the current year presentation.

4.   Net Earnings Per Common Share
     -----------------------------

     Net earnings per common share are based upon the weighted average number of
common shares outstanding during the period restated for the five percent stock
dividend in fiscal 1996 and includes common stock equivalents of 136,643 and
47,135 in fiscal 1997 and fiscal 1996, respectively.    

                                     F-23
<PAGE>
 
================================================================================

  No dealer, salesperson or other person has been authorized to give any
information or to make any representation not contained in this Prospectus and,
if given or made, such information or representation must not be relied upon as
having been authorized by the Company, any Selling Shareholder or the
Underwriter. Neither the delivery of this Prospectus nor any sale made hereunder
shall, under any circumstances, create any implication that the information
herein is correct as of any time subsequent to the date hereof or that there has
been no change in the affairs of the Company since such date. This Prospectus
does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any
securities other than the registered securities to which it relates. This
Prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to
buy such securities under any circumstances in which such offer or solicitation
would be unlawful.


                              ___________________



                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    PAGE
                                                    ----
<S>                                                 <C>
Available Information................................  2
Incorporation of Certain
   Documents by Reference............................  2
Prospectus Summary...................................  3
Risk Factors.........................................  6
Use of Proceeds......................................  8
Price Range of Common Stock
   and Dividend Policy...............................  8
Capitalization.......................................  9
Selected Consolidated Financial Data................. 10
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
   Financial Condition and Results of Operations..... 11
Business............................................. 16
Management and Directors............................. 24
Description of Capital Stock......................... 26
Selling Shareholders................................. 28
Underwriting......................................... 29
Legal Matters........................................ 30
Experts.............................................. 30
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements...........F-1

========================================================
</TABLE>    
================================================================================


    
                                645,000 SHARES      


                                    [LOGO]



                                 COMMON STOCK



                         _____________________________

                                  PROSPECTUS
                         _____________________________



                          SCOTT & STRINGFELLOW, INC.



                                 June 11, 1996



================================================================================
<PAGE>
 
   
                             HAROLD'S STORES, INC.
                   APPENDIX TO PROSPECTUS FILED PURSUANT TO
                    RULE 424(b)(1) (FILE NO. 333-04117)    

   
     Pursuant to Rule 304 of Regulation S-T, the following is a good faith
description of photographic image material not included in the foregoing 
Prospectus of Harold's Stores, Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) via EDGAR:

Photo No. 1 (upper left on gatefold): Exterior of Store No. 30, a full-line
ladies' and men's Old School Clothing Co. store located in CitiPlace Shopping
Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Photo No. 2 (upper right on gatefold): Ladies' interior of Store No. 06, a full-
line ladies' and men's store located in Highland Park Village, Dallas, Texas.

Photo No. 3 (bottom of gatefold): Exterior of Store No. 18, a full-line ladies'
store located on Broadway and Austin Highway, San Antonio.

Photo No. 4 (top of inside front cover): Interior of Store No. 28, a full-line
ladies' and men's Old School Clothing Co. store located in Mall St. Matthews,
Louisville, Kentucky.

Illustration 1 (lower left of inside front cover): Map showing locations of
Harold's existing and proposed stores, outlets, distribution center,
merchandising office and corporate headquarters, as of fiscal year ending
February 3, 1996.

Photo No. 5 (upper left of inside back cover): Exterior of Store No. 29, the
Company's second men's and ladies' outlet facility, located in Southwest Outlet
Center, Hillsboro, Texas.

Photo No. 6 (upper right of inside back cover): Interior Harold's Outlet -
located in Southwest Outlet Center, Hillsboro, Texas.

Photo No. 7 (lower right of inside back cover): Exterior of Store No. 16, the
Company's first men's and ladies' outlet facility, located on Mopac Expressway,
Austin, Texas.

Photo No. 8 (lower left of inside back cover): Interior of the Company's 22,000
square foot distribution center, located in Norman, Oklahoma.



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