Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Total	Common stock	Paid-in capital	Noncontrolling interest	Retained earnings	Treasury stock	AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest				$ 0
Beginning Balance at Jan. 31, 2015	$ 1,389,701	$ 1,033	$ 434,137		$ 2,550,673	$ (1,512,562)	$ (83,580)
Beginning balance, shares outstanding at Jan. 31, 2015		69,352				33,948
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	2,983
Net income attributable to A&F	35,576				35,576
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	38,559
Purchase of Common Stock	(50,033)					$ (50,033)
Purchase of common stock, shares		(2,461)				2,461
Dividends ($0.80 per share)	(55,145)				(55,145)
Share-based compensation issuances and exercises	(8,109)		(37,220)		(908)	$ 30,019
Share-based compensation issuances and exercises, shares		457				(457)
Tax deficit recognized on share-based compensation expense	(18,247)		(18,247)
Share-based compensation expense	28,359		28,359
Derivative financial instruments, net of tax	(8,523)						(8,523)
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax	(22,516)						(22,516)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests, net	1,676			1,676
Ending Balance at Jan. 30, 2016	1,295,722	$ 1,033	407,029		2,530,196	$ (1,532,576)	(114,619)
Ending balance, shares outstanding at Jan. 30, 2016		67,348				35,952
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest				4,659
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	3,762
Net income attributable to A&F	3,956				3,956
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	7,718
Dividends ($0.80 per share)	(54,066)				(54,066)
Share-based compensation issuances and exercises	(5,439)		(25,043)		(5,383)	$ 24,987
Share-based compensation issuances and exercises, shares		410				(410)
Tax deficit recognized on share-based compensation expense	(7,516)		(7,516)
Share-based compensation expense	22,120		22,120
Derivative financial instruments, net of tax	248						248
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax	(6,931)						(6,931)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests, net	183			183
Ending Balance at Jan. 28, 2017	1,243,435	$ 1,033	396,590		2,474,703	$ (1,507,589)	(121,302)
Ending balance, shares outstanding at Jan. 28, 2017		67,758				35,542
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	8,604			8,604
Total Abercrombie & Fitch Co. stockholders’ equity	1,252,039
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	3,431
Net income attributable to A&F	7,094				7,094
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	10,525
Dividends ($0.80 per share)	(54,392)				(54,392)
Share-based compensation issuances and exercises	(2,114)		(12,347)		(6,853)	$ 17,086
Share-based compensation issuances and exercises, shares		437				(437)
Share-based compensation expense	22,108
Derivative financial instruments, net of tax	(14,932)						(14,932)
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax	41,180						41,180
Contributions from noncontrolling interests, net	(1,943)			(1,943)
Ending Balance at Feb. 03, 2018	1,242,379	$ 1,033	$ 406,351		$ 2,420,552	$ (1,490,503)	$ (95,054)
Ending balance, shares outstanding at Feb. 03, 2018		68,195				35,105
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	10,092			$ 10,092
Total Abercrombie & Fitch Co. stockholders’ equity	$ 1,252,471