Stockholders' Equity (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2009	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010
Stockholders' equity
Maximum stock repurchase amount approved by Board of Directors	$ 50,000
Number of shares repurchased (in shares)				245,000
Repurchase of common stock, payments				19,918	10,082
Average stock price of shares repurchased (in dollars per share)				$ 81.22
Number of shares receivable as right under stock-based awards (in shares)				1
Revenue targets to be met for awards to be vested, low end of range				1,850
Revenue targets to be met for awards to be vested, high end of range				2,500
Diluted earnings per share targets to be met for awards to be vested, low end of range (in dollars per share)				$ 7.00
Diluted earnings per share targets to be met for awards to be vested, high end of range (in dollars per share)				$ 9.60
Reconciliation of retained earnings
Balance at the beginning of the period				513,459
Net income attributable to Deckers Outdoor Corporation		62,484	42,143	74,323	69,004
Repurchase of common stock				(19,916)		(10,080)
Balance at the end of the period		567,866		567,866		513,459
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Stockholders' equity
Restricted stock units granted during period (in shares)		0		275,000
Weighted-average grant date fair value of RSU (in dollars per share)		$ 82.09
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs)
Stockholders' equity
Stock appreciation rights exercised during period (in shares)		110,000		290,000
Exercise price of stock appreciation rights (in dollars per share)		$ 26.73		$ 26.73
Aggregate intrinsic value of stock appreciation rights exercised		$ 8,611		$ 19,535