Document and Entity Information (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 06, 2013	May 02, 2013	Jul. 02, 2012
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	JONES GROUP INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000874016
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	No
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 726,799,067
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		80,092,258
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Apr. 06, 2013