Customer Loyalty Card Programs (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 28, 2012	Jan. 29, 2011	Jan. 30, 2010
Additional Information [Line Items]
Accrual at end of year for discounts earned but not yet issued and discounts issued but not yet redeemed	$ 2,618	$ 2,277	$ 3,161
Fashion Bug [Member]
Additional Information [Line Items]
Membership Cancellation Period (days)	30
Loyalty card revenues recognized	8,570	9,187	10,772
Catherines [Member]
Additional Information [Line Items]
Loyalty card revenues recognized	$ 9,523	$ 9,473	$ 8,882