Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Aug. 02, 2014	Aug. 03, 2013	Aug. 02, 2014	Aug. 03, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Pension liability adjustment, tax amount	$ 0.3	$ 0.6	$ 0.7	$ 1.2
Postretirement liability adjustment, tax amount	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension Liability Adjustment, Tax Amount

No definition available.

Name:	gco_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossPensionLiabilityAdjustmentTaxAmount
Namespace Prefix:	gco_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration