Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	Nov. 02, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation The information set forth in these condensed consolidated financial statements as of and for the 13 and 39 weeks ended November 2, 2013, and October 27, 2012 (collectively, the “Interim Financial Statements”), is unaudited. These statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in The Wet Seal, Inc. (the “Company”) annual consolidated financial statements have been condensed or omitted, as permitted under applicable rules and regulations. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 2, 2013. In the opinion of management, the Interim Financial Statements reflect all adjustments that are of a normal and recurring nature necessary to fairly present the Company’s financial position and results of operations and cash flows in all material respects as of the dates and for the periods presented. The results of operations presented in the Interim Financial Statements are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending February 1, 2014.
Long-Lived Assets	Long-Lived Assets The Company evaluates the carrying value of long-lived assets for impairment quarterly or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of such assets may not be recoverable. Factors that are considered important that could result in the necessity to perform an impairment review include a current-period operating or cash flow loss combined with a history of operating or cash flow losses and a projection or forecast that indicates continuing losses or insufficient income associated with the realization of a long-lived asset or asset group. Other factors include a significant change in the manner of the use of the asset or a significant negative industry or economic trend. This evaluation is performed based on estimated undiscounted future cash flows from operating activities compared with the carrying value of the related assets. If the estimated undiscounted future cash flows are less than the carrying value, an impairment loss is recognized, measured by the difference between the carrying value and the estimated fair value of the assets, based on discounted estimated future cash flows using the Company’s weighted average cost of capital. With regard to store assets, which are comprised of leasehold improvements, fixtures and computer hardware and software, the Company considers the assets at each individual store to represent an asset group. In addition, the Company has considered the relevant valuation techniques that could be applied without undue cost and effort and has determined that the discounted estimated future cash flow approach provides the most relevant and reliable means by which to determine fair value in this circumstance. The Company conducts its quarterly impairment evaluation at the individual store level using the guidance under applicable accounting standards. The quarterly analysis includes the Company's estimates of future cash flows using only the cash inflows and outflows that are directly related to each store over the remaining lease term. Key assumptions made by the Company and included within the cash flow estimates are future sales and gross margin projections. The Company determines the future sales and gross margin projections by considering each store's recent and historical performance, the Company's overall performance trends and projections and the potential impact of strategic initiatives on future performance.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with applicable accounting standards which require that the Company recognize deferred tax assets, which include net operating loss carryforwards (NOLs) and tax credits, and liabilities based on the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of assets and liabilities, using enacted tax rates in effect in the years the differences are expected to reverse. Deferred income tax expense or benefit results from the change in net deferred tax assets or deferred tax liabilities. Such guidance requires that deferred tax assets be reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the net deferred tax assets will not be realized. Due to the Company's three-year cumulative operating losses, the Company established a valuation allowance against all of its deferred tax assets in fiscal 2012. In addition, the Company discontinued recording income tax benefits in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. The Company will not record income tax benefits until it is determined that it is more likely than not that the Company will generate sufficient taxable income to realize the deferred income tax assets. The Company remains in a cumulative three-year operating loss position and realization of its deferred income tax assets is not deemed to be more likely than not. Prospectively, as the Company continues to evaluate available evidence, it is possible that the Company may deem some or all of its deferred income tax assets to be realizable.
Other Comprehensive Income	Other Comprehensive Income Other comprehensive income refers to gains and losses that are recorded as an element of stockholders' equity but are excluded from net loss.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recent Accounting Pronouncements In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued amended guidance on the disclosure of accumulated other comprehensive income. The amendments in this update require an entity to provide information about the amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income by component. In addition, an entity is required to present, either on the face of the income statement or in the notes, significant amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to the statement of operations. The Company adopted this guidance, which did not impact its condensed consolidated financial statements.

Disclosure of accounting policy for income taxes, which may include its accounting policies for recognizing and measuring deferred tax assets and liabilities and related valuation allowances, recognizing investment tax credits, operating loss carryforwards, tax credit carryforwards, and other carryforwards, methodologies for determining its effective income tax rate and the characterization of interest and penalties in the financial statements.

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