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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 CIyf6P2CBCghy93rSlFG7k+CmnmWmvmHTRlocB4QHDdfPVkow5CNjAwueIOgAEVh
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000874214-09-000033.txt : 20090820
<SEC-HEADER>0000874214-09-000033.hdr.sgml : 20090820
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20090820100151
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000874214-09-000033
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20090818
FILED AS OF DATE:		20090820
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20090820

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Beauchamp Christine
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001443069

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-10738
		FILM NUMBER:		091025653

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O ANNTAYLOR STORES CORPORATION, 7
		STREET 2:		TIMES SQUARE
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10036

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ANNTAYLOR STORES CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000874214
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-WOMEN'S CLOTHING STORES [5621]
		IRS NUMBER:				133499319
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0202

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		7 TIMES SQUARE
		STREET 2:		15TH FLOOR
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10036
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2125413300

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		7 TIMES SQUARE
		STREET 2:		15TH FLOOR
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10036

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	TAYLOR ANN STORES CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19960221
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2009-08-18</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000874214</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ANNTAYLOR STORES CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ANN</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001443069</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Beauchamp Christine</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O ANNTAYLOR STORES CORPORATION</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>7 TIMES SQUARE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10036</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>President, AnnTaylor Stores</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-08-18</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>9583</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>81126</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">This represents performance-vesting restricted stock that has been earned by the executive pursuant to a performance-based award made to her in 2009.  These shares are scheduled to vest on March 16, 2010 if the executive remains employed by the company on that date.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Christine Beauchamp</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-08-20</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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