v2.4.0.6

Acquisitions and Dispositions - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		1 Months Ended
	Apr. 28, 2012	Apr. 30, 2011	Apr. 28, 2012	Apr. 30, 2011	May 01, 2012 Merger Agreement with Charming Shoppes, Inc. Store	May 15, 2012 Merger Agreement with Charming Shoppes, Inc.
Business Acquisitions and Dispositions [Line Items]
Number of operating retail store					1,800
Business acquisition, cash tender offer per share						$ 7.35
Estimated acquisition price						$ 890
Business acquisition, expected to be funded from new debt borrowings, available cash and equivalents and the liquidation of short-term and non-current investments						475
Percentage of outstanding shares intent to acquire					80.00%
Termination fee to be paid, in case of termination by Charming Shoppes					30
Acquisition-related costs	$ 6.8	$ 0	$ 6.8	$ 0

X

- Definition

Business Acquisition Percentage of Voting Interests Intend to Acquire

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	asna_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Business Acquisition Purchase Price Per Share In Cash

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	asna_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePricePerShareInCash
Namespace Prefix:	asna_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

X

- Details

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Namespace Prefix:	asna_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Business Acquisition, Termination Fee

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	asna_BusinessAcquisitionTerminationFee
Namespace Prefix:	asna_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Amount of cash paid to acquire the entity.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141

-Paragraph 51

-Subparagraph d

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.



Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141R

-Paragraph 68

-Subparagraph f(1)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionCostOfAcquiredEntityCashPaid
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

The total cost of the acquired entity including the cash paid to shareholders of acquired entities, fair value of debt and equity securities issued to shareholders of acquired entities, the fair value of the liabilities assumed, and direct costs of the acquisition.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141

-Paragraph 51

-Subparagraph d

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionCostOfAcquiredEntityPurchasePrice
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

This element represents acquisition-related costs incurred to effect a business combination which costs have been expensed during the period. Such costs include finder's fees; advisory, legal, accounting, valuation, and other professional or consulting fees; general administrative costs, including the costs of maintaining an internal acquisitions department; and may include costs of registering and issuing debt and equity securities.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141R

-Paragraph 59

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.



Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 805

-SubTopic 10

-Section 25

-Paragraph 23

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6909708&loc=d3e1043-128460

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Represents the number of stores.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NumberOfStores
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant