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				$ 4,659
Beginning Balance at Jan. 30, 2016	$ 1,295,722	$ 1,033	$ 407,029		$ 2,530,196	$ (1,532,576)	$ (114,619)
Beginning balance, shares outstanding at Jan. 30, 2016		67,348				35,952
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	1,252,039	$ 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
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		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
Impact from adoption of new revenue recognition accounting standards	6,944
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	4,267
Net income attributable to A&F					74,541
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	78,808
Purchase of Common Stock	$ 68,670
Purchase of common stock, shares	2,931
Dividends ($0.80 per share)	$ 53,714				(53,714)
Share-based compensation issuances and exercises	(6,937)		(22,727)		(29,779)	$ 45,569
Share-based compensation issuances and exercises, shares		963				(963)
Share-based compensation expense	21,755
Derivative financial instruments, net of tax	12,542
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax	(19,940)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests, net	(4,638)			(4,638)
Ending Balance at Feb. 02, 2019	1,208,900	$ 1,033	$ 405,379		$ 2,418,544	$ (1,513,604)	$ (102,452)
Ending balance, shares outstanding at Feb. 02, 2019		66,227				37,073
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	9,721			$ 9,721
Total Abercrombie & Fitch Co. stockholders’ equity	$ 1,218,621