Long-term Debt (Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2011	Jan. 29, 2011	May 01, 2010	Apr. 30, 2011 Limited Brands, Inc. [Member]	Jan. 29, 2011 Limited Brands, Inc. [Member]	May 01, 2010 Limited Brands, Inc. [Member]	Apr. 30, 2011 Mortgage 5.30% Due August 2010 [Member]	Jan. 29, 2011 Mortgage 5.30% Due August 2010 [Member]	May 01, 2010 Mortgage 5.30% Due August 2010 [Member]	Apr. 30, 2011 Fixed Rate 6.625 Percent Notes Due April 2021 [Member]	Jan. 29, 2011 Fixed Rate 6.625 Percent Notes Due April 2021 [Member]	May 01, 2010 Fixed Rate 6.625 Percent Notes Due April 2021 [Member]	Mar. 31, 2010 Fixed Rate 6.625 Percent Notes Due April 2021 [Member]	Apr. 30, 2011 Fixed Rate 8.50% Notes Due June 2019 [Member]	Jan. 29, 2011 Fixed Rate 8.50% Notes Due June 2019 [Member]	May 01, 2010 Fixed Rate 8.50% Notes Due June 2019 [Member]	Apr. 30, 2011 Fixed Rate 7.00% Notes Due May 2020 [Member]	Jan. 29, 2011 Fixed Rate 7.00% Notes Due May 2020 [Member]	May 31, 2010 Fixed Rate 7.00% Notes Due May 2020 [Member]	May 01, 2010 Fixed Rate 7.00% Notes Due May 2020 [Member]	Apr. 30, 2011 Fixed Rate 6.90% Notes Due July 2017 [Member]		Jan. 29, 2011 Fixed Rate 6.90% Notes Due July 2017 [Member]		May 01, 2010 Fixed Rate 6.90% Notes Due July 2017 [Member]		Apr. 30, 2011 Fixed Rate 5.25% Notes Due November 2014 [Member]		Jan. 29, 2011 Fixed Rate 5.25% Notes Due November 2014 [Member]		May 01, 2010 Fixed Rate 5.25% Notes Due November 2014 [Member]		Apr. 30, 2011 Fixed Rate 6.95% Debentures Due March 2033 [Member]	Jan. 29, 2011 Fixed Rate 6.95% Debentures Due March 2033 [Member]	May 01, 2010 Fixed Rate 6.95% Debentures Due March 2033 [Member]	Apr. 30, 2011 Fixed Rate 7.60% Notes Due July 2037 [Member]	Jan. 29, 2011 Fixed Rate 7.60% Notes Due July 2037 [Member]	May 01, 2010 Fixed Rate 7.60% Notes Due July 2037 [Member]	Apr. 30, 2011 Fixed Rate 6.125% Notes Due December 2012 [Member]		Jan. 29, 2011 Fixed Rate 6.125% Notes Due December 2012 [Member]		May 01, 2010 Fixed Rate 6.125% Notes Due December 2012 [Member]
Senior Secured Debt							$ 0	$ 0	$ 2
Senior Unsecured Debt with Subsidiary Guarantee	1,887	886	485							1,000	0	0		487	486	485	400	400		0
Senior Unsecured Debt	1,623	1,621	2,038																		700	[1]	699	[1]	699	[1]	216	[2]	215	[2]	499	[2]	350	350	350	299	299	299	58	[3]	58	[3]	191	[3]
Total	3,510	2,507	2,525
Current Portion of Long-term Debt	0	0	(2)
Total Long-term Debt, Net of Current Portion	3,510	2,507	2,523	3,510	2,507	2,523
Debt Instrument, Face Amount										1,000			1,000	500			400		400		700												350			300
Debt Instrument, Stated Rate							5.30%			6.625%			6.625%	8.50%			7.00%		7.00%		6.90%						5.25%						6.95%			7.60%			6.125%
Principal Balance Outstanding																											213		213		500								57		57		191
Fair Value Interest Rate Hedge Adjustment																					$ 1						$ 3		$ 2										$ 1		$ 1

[1] The balance includes a fair value interest rate hedge adjustment which increased the debt balance by $1 million as of April 30, 2011.

[2] The principal balance outstanding was $213 million as of both April 30, 2011 and January 29, 2011 and $500 million as of May 1, 2010. The balances include a fair value interest rate hedge adjustment which increased the debt balance by $3 million and $2 million as of April 30, 2011 and January 29, 2011, respectively.

[3] The principal balance outstanding was $57 million as of both April 30, 2011 and January 29, 2011 and $191 million as of May 1, 2010. The balances include a fair value interest rate hedge adjustment which increased the debt balance by $1 million as of both April 30, 2011 and January 29, 2011.