Earnings Per Share - Per Share Amount (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015	Nov. 01, 2014	Aug. 02, 2014	May 03, 2014	Feb. 01, 2014	Nov. 02, 2013	Aug. 03, 2013	May 04, 2013	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013
Summary of basic and diluted earnings per share
Earnings from continuing operations									$ 99,373	$ 92,982	$ 112,897
Less: Preferred stock dividends and income from participating securities									0	(33)	(147)
Basic EPS from continuing operations
Income from continuing operations available to common shareholders, Income (Numerator)									99,373	92,949	112,750
Income from continuing operations available to common shareholders, Shares (Denominator)									23,507,000	23,297,000	23,584,000
Income from continuing operations available to common shareholders (USD per share)									$ 4.23	$ 3.99	$ 4.78
Effect of Dilutive Securities from continuing operations
Options and restricted stock, Shares (Denominator)									155,000	272,000	372,000
Convertible preferred stock, Income (Numerator)									0	0	88
Convertible preferred stock, Shares (Denominator)									0	0	34,000
Employees' preferred stock, Shares (Denominator)									46,000	46,000	47,000
Diluted EPS from continuing operations
Income from continuing operations available to common shareholders plus assumed conversions, Income (Numerator)									$ 99,373	$ 92,949	$ 112,838
Income from continuing operations available to common shareholders plus assumed conversions, Shares (Denominator)									23,708,000	23,615,000	24,037,000
Continuing operations (USD per share)	$ 2.18	$ 1.21	$ 0.20	$ 0.60	$ 1.79	$ 1.18	$ 0.36	$ 0.61	$ 4.19	$ 3.94	$ 4.69
Common convertible ratio (shares)	1								1