Document And Entity Information - Aug. 01, 2015 - shares	Total
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	TRANS WORLD ENTERTAINMENT CORP
Document Type	10-Q
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--01-31
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	31,128,387
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Central Index Key	0000795212
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Document Period End Date	Aug. 01, 2015
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2