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Equity - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
 1 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 1 Months Ended
Apr. 03, 2012
Jul. 28, 2012
Jul. 30, 2011
Jul. 31, 2010
Apr. 28, 2012
Jan. 01, 2011
Jan. 29, 2011
The Dress Barn, Inc.
Jan. 01, 2011
The Dress Barn, Inc.
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]                
Common Stock, shares authorized   360,000,000            
Preferred Stock, shares authorized   100,000            
Preferred Stock, shares issued   0            
Preferred Stock, shares outstanding   0            
Common stock split through stock dividend 2 2            
Common stock split through stock dividend, percentage 100.00%              
Common stock, outstanding 77,000,000 154,800,000 154,800,000   153,900,000      
Increase in common stock and corresponding decrease in additional-paid-in-capital as a result of the stock split $ 0.8              
Share repurchase program authorized amount       100        
Share repurchase program additional authorized amount     100          
Purchases of common stock   37.2 72.9 37.9        
Purchases of common stock, shares   2,700,000 5,000,000 3,100,000        
Stock repurchase program remaining authorized repurchase amount   $ 89.9            
Conversion of Dress Barn, Inc common stock into an equal number of shares of Ascena common stock, shares issued             78.9  
Common stock, par value   $ 0.01 $ 0.01     $ 0.01   $ 0.05