Deferred Lease Credits (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	May 04, 2013	Feb. 02, 2013
Amortized amounts over the life of related leases
Deferred lease credits	$ 551,071	$ 550,527
Amortized deferred lease credits	(350,997)	(343,076)
Total deferred lease credits, net	$ 200,074	$ 207,451

Gross payments received from landlords to wholly or partially offset store construction costs. The amounts, which are amortized as a reduction of rent expense over the respective lives of the related leases

No definition available.

Name:	anf_DeferredLeaseCreditsGross
Namespace Prefix:	anf_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant