Document and Entity Information (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 01, 2014	Aug. 03, 2013	Mar. 21, 2014 Common Stock Class A	Mar. 21, 2014 Common Stock Class B
Entity Registrant Name	WET SEAL INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000863456
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Feb. 01, 2014
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--02-01
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding			84,661,917	0
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Public Float		$ 364,430
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No