Property and Equipment, Net (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jan. 29, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010	Jan. 28, 2012	Jan. 29, 2011	Jan. 30, 2010
Property and equipment, net
Land	$ 36,885,000		$ 36,890,000	$ 36,885,000
Buildings and Improvements, Gross	223,520,000		267,566,000	223,520,000
Furniture and Fixtures, Gross	602,885,000		614,641,000	602,885,000
Capitalized Computer Software, Gross	233,867,000		237,245,000	233,867,000
Leasehold Improvements, Gross	1,247,493,000		1,340,487,000	1,247,493,000
Construction in Progress, Gross	69,577,000		113,663,000	69,577,000
Property, Plant and Equipment, Other, Gross	47,006,000		44,727,000	47,006,000
Property and equipment, Total	2,461,233,000		2,655,219,000	2,461,233,000
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(1,306,474,000)		(1,457,948,000)	(1,306,474,000)
Property and equipment, net	1,154,759,000		1,197,271,000	1,154,759,000
Property and Equipment, Net (Textuals) [Abstract]
Store related assets measured at fair value	14,600,000		13,100,000	14,600,000
Asset Impairment Charges	48,400,000		68,022,000	50,631,000	84,754,000
Non-cash Pre-tax Asset Impairment Charge		2,200,000
Construction Project Assets [Member]
Property and equipment, net
Property and equipment, Total	$ 16,500,000		$ 47,500,000	$ 16,500,000
Abercrombie & Fitch [Member]
Property and Equipment, Net (Textuals) [Abstract]
Number Of Stores Related To Asset Impairment Charges	1	1	14
Abercrombie Kids [Member]
Property and Equipment, Net (Textuals) [Abstract]
Number Of Stores Related To Asset Impairment Charges	1	1	21
Hollister [Member]
Property and Equipment, Net (Textuals) [Abstract]
Number Of Stores Related To Asset Impairment Charges	6	3	42
Gilly Hicks [Member]
Property and Equipment, Net (Textuals) [Abstract]
Number Of Stores Related To Asset Impairment Charges			2	13
Asset Impairment Charge, Original Large Store Format, Gross Square Feet	10,000
Asset Impairment Charge, Revised Large Store Format, Gross Square Feet	5,000