Business Segments (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Aug. 04, 2018 USD ($)	Jul. 29, 2017 USD ($)	Aug. 04, 2018 USD ($) segment	Jul. 29, 2017 USD ($)	Feb. 03, 2018 USD ($)
Business Segments
Concentration Risk, Percentage	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Number of Reportable Segments \| segment			2
Net sales from external customers	$ 1,468,023	$ 1,427,280	$ 2,926,285	$ 2,845,740
Gross profit	450,846	420,226	1,005,367	968,601
Depreciation and amortization	56,221	59,868	112,224	119,879
Interest and debt expense (income), net	14,321	15,798	28,343	31,480
(Loss) income before income taxes and income on and equity in earnings of joint ventures	(3,828)	(27,041)	99,410	75,420
Income on and equity in earnings of joint ventures	0	11	0	22
Total assets	$ 3,582,630	$ 3,762,717	$ 3,582,630	$ 3,762,717	$ 3,682,703
Retail operations
Business Segments
Concentration Risk, Percentage	96.00%	97.00%	96.00%	97.00%
Number of Reportable Segments \| segment			1
Number of store formats \| segment			1
Net sales from external customers	$ 1,408,803	$ 1,384,623	$ 2,820,147	$ 2,770,492
Gross profit	448,910	418,561	1,001,775	965,410
Depreciation and amortization	56,064	59,701	111,908	119,544
Interest and debt expense (income), net	14,333	15,817	28,363	31,520
(Loss) income before income taxes and income on and equity in earnings of joint ventures	(4,482)	(27,683)	98,922	74,677
Income on and equity in earnings of joint ventures		11		22
Total assets	$ 3,531,148	$ 3,721,281	$ 3,531,148	$ 3,721,281
Construction
Business Segments
Concentration Risk, Percentage	4.00%	3.00%	4.00%	3.00%
Net sales from external customers	$ 59,220	$ 42,657	$ 106,138	$ 75,248
Gross profit	1,936	1,665	3,592	3,191
Depreciation and amortization	157	167	316	335
Interest and debt expense (income), net	(12)	(19)	(20)	(40)
(Loss) income before income taxes and income on and equity in earnings of joint ventures	654	642	488	743
Income on and equity in earnings of joint ventures		0		0
Total assets	51,482	41,436	51,482	41,436
Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Business Segments
Net sales from external customers	$ 6,700	$ 12,600	$ 12,100	$ 21,600
Cosmetics [Member] \| Retail operations
Business Segments
Concentration Risk, Percentage	13.00%	13.00%	13.00%	13.00%
Ladies Apparel [Member] \| Retail operations
Business Segments
Concentration Risk, Percentage	24.00%	25.00%	24.00%	25.00%
Ladies Accessories and Lingerie [Member] \| Retail operations
Business Segments
Concentration Risk, Percentage	16.00%	16.00%	15.00%	15.00%
Juniors and Children's Apparel [Member] \| Retail operations
Business Segments
Concentration Risk, Percentage	8.00%	8.00%	9.00%	9.00%
Mens Apparel and Accessories [Member] \| Retail operations
Business Segments
Concentration Risk, Percentage	18.00%	17.00%	17.00%	16.00%
Shoes [Member] \| Retail operations
Business Segments
Concentration Risk, Percentage	14.00%	15.00%	15.00%	16.00%
Home and Furniture [Member] \| Retail operations
Business Segments
Concentration Risk, Percentage	3.00%	3.00%	3.00%	3.00%
Maximum [Member]
Business Segments
Construction Contract			18 months
Minimum [Member]
Business Segments
Construction Contract			9 months

The typical term for CDI construction contracts.

No definition available.

Name:	dds_ConstructionContract
Namespace Prefix:	dds_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The entity's proportionate share for the period of the net income (loss) of its investees (such as unconsolidated subsidiaries and joint ventures) which are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Such amounts typically reflect adjustments similar to those made in preparing consolidated statements, including adjustments to eliminate intercompany gains and losses, and to amortize, if appropriate, any difference between cost and underlying equity in net assets of the investee at the date of investment. This item also includes the portion of the distribution from joint ventures representing a return of capital in excess of the carrying value of the joint venture.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	dds_IncomeOnAndEquityInLossesOfJointVentures
Namespace Prefix:	dds_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the number of store formats across all stores.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	dds_NumberOfStoreFormats
Namespace Prefix:	dds_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all assets that are recognized. Assets are probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(a)(12))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(11))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_Assets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

For an entity that discloses a concentration risk in relation to quantitative amount, which serves as the "benchmark" (or denominator) in the equation, this concept represents the concentration percentage derived from the division.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 275
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 18
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84177426&loc=d3e6351-108592

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 825
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 20
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=77997519&loc=d3e13531-108611

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 275
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 20
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84177426&loc=d3e6404-108592

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 825
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 21
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=77997519&loc=d3e13537-108611

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskPercentage1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The current period expense charged against earnings on long-lived, physical assets not used in production, and which are not intended for resale, to allocate or recognize the cost of such assets over their useful lives; or to record the reduction in book value of an intangible asset over the benefit period of such asset; or to reflect consumption during the period of an asset that is not used in production.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 360
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6391035&loc=d3e2868-110229

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98514028&loc=d3e3602-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Aggregate revenue less cost of goods and services sold or operating expenses directly attributable to the revenue generation activity.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 225
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1,2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=63488584&loc=d3e20235-122688

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GrossProfit
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of income (loss) from continuing operations before deduction of income tax expense (benefit) and income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest, and addition of income (loss) from equity method investments.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(h)(1)(i))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The net amount of operating interest income (expense).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 225
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-04.10)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879574&loc=d3e536633-122882

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_InterestIncomeExpenseNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of segments reported by the entity. A reportable segment is a component of an entity for which there is an accounting requirement to report separate financial information on that component in the entity's financial statements.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Total revenue from sale of goods and services rendered during the reporting period, in the normal course of business, reduced by sales returns and allowances, and sales discounts.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 225
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=63488584&loc=d3e20235-122688

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=dds_RetailOperationsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=dds_ConstructionMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis=us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis=dds_CosmeticsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis=dds_LadiesApparelMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis=dds_LadiesAccessoriesAndLingerieMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis=dds_JuniorsAndChildrensApparelMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis=dds_MensApparelAndAccessoriesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis=dds_ShoesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis=dds_HomeAndFurnitureMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: