CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Consolidated Statements of Operations [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 3,734.0	$ 3,593.5	$ 3,279.7
Licensing income	50.2	48.3	46.8
Other revenues	1.1	0.9	0.9
Total revenues	3,785.3	3,642.7	3,327.4
Cost of goods sold	2,440.1	2,387.2	2,181.5
Gross profit	1,345.2	1,255.5	1,145.9
Selling, general and administrative expenses	1,173.2	1,073.0	1,008.7
Trademark impairments	31.5	37.6	28.7
Goodwill impairment	0	0	120.6
Operating income (loss)	140.5	144.9	(12.1)
Interest income	0.9	1.5	2.8
Interest expense and financing costs	74.2	60.4	55.6
Loss and costs associated with repurchase of 4.250% Senior Notes	0	0	1.5
Equity in income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliate	3.9	(0.9)	(3.7)
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes	71.1	85.1	(70.1)
Provision for income taxes	19.6	30.7	16.2
Net income (loss)	51.5	54.4	(86.3)
Less: income attributable to noncontrolling interest	0.8	0.6	0.3
Income (loss) attributable to Jones	$ 50.7	$ 53.8	$ (86.6)
Earnings (loss) per share
Basic	$ 0.62	$ 0.63	$ (1.02)
Diluted	$ 0.61	$ 0.62	$ (1.02)
Weighted average common shares outstanding
Basic	79.6	82.1	81.7
Diluted	81.3	82.6	81.7
Dividends declared per share	$ 0.20	$ 0.20	$ 0.20