Segment Reporting (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Feb. 01, 2014	Nov. 02, 2013	Aug. 03, 2013	May 04, 2013	Feb. 02, 2013	Oct. 27, 2012	Jul. 28, 2012	Apr. 28, 2012	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013	Jan. 28, 2012
Operating Segments
Net sales	$ 124,776	$ 127,664	$ 137,249	$ 140,445	$ 161,654	$ 135,537	$ 135,261	$ 147,945	$ 530,134	$ 580,397	$ 620,097
Percentage of consolidated net sales									100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Operating loss									(37,946)	(70,289)	25,000
Depreciation and amortization expense									13,747	17,497	19,371
Interest income									177	142	241
Interest expense									(221)	(181)	(180)
(Loss) income before provision for income taxes									(37,990)	(70,328)	25,061
Total identifiable assets as of year-end	151,739				226,506				151,739	226,506	330,533
Capital expenditures									21,464	20,406	26,486
Wet Seal [Member]
Operating Segments
Net sales									469,726	495,027	526,105
Percentage of consolidated net sales									89.00%	85.00%	85.00%
Operating loss									(777)	(13,086)	55,661
Depreciation and amortization expense									10,696	14,239	15,765
(Loss) income before provision for income taxes									(777)	(13,086)	55,661
Total identifiable assets as of year-end	124,146				182,207				124,146	182,207	234,405
Capital expenditures									17,593	16,027	19,081
Arden B [Member]
Operating Segments
Net sales									60,408	85,370	93,992
Percentage of consolidated net sales									11.00%	15.00%	15.00%
Operating loss									(4,398)	(7,757)	1,491
Depreciation and amortization expense									1,142	1,639	2,099
(Loss) income before provision for income taxes									(4,398)	(7,757)	1,491
Total identifiable assets as of year-end	13,854				28,763				13,854	28,763	38,540
Capital expenditures									451	1,745	4,442
Corporate and Unallocated [Member]
Operating Segments
Operating loss									(32,771)	(49,446)	(32,152)
Depreciation and amortization expense									1,909	1,619	1,507
Interest income									177	142	241
Interest expense									(221)	(181)	(180)
(Loss) income before provision for income taxes									(32,815)	(49,485)	(32,091)
Total identifiable assets as of year-end	13,739				15,536				13,739	15,536	57,588
Capital expenditures									$ 3,420	$ 2,634	$ 2,963