Document and Entity Information (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 27, 2012	Nov. 23, 2012	Jul. 30, 2011
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	GENESCO INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000018498
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Oct. 27, 2012
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--02-03
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 1,252,000
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		24,150,944