Stockholders' Equity and Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended					9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended		9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 29, 2011 subsidiary	Oct. 30, 2010	Oct. 29, 2011 subsidiary	Oct. 30, 2010	Jan. 29, 2011	Oct. 29, 2011 Focus	Jan. 29, 2011 Focus	Oct. 29, 2011 Guess Sud	Jan. 29, 2011 Guess Sud	Oct. 29, 2011 Guess?, Inc. Stockholders' Equity	Jan. 29, 2011 Guess?, Inc. Stockholders' Equity	Jan. 30, 2010 Guess?, Inc. Stockholders' Equity	Oct. 29, 2011 Nonredeemable Noncontrolling Interests	Jan. 29, 2011 Nonredeemable Noncontrolling Interests	Jan. 30, 2010 Nonredeemable Noncontrolling Interests
Stockholders' equity reconciliation
Stockholders' equity, balances at the beginning of the period			$ 1,066,194	$ 1,026,343						$ 1,054,876		$ 1,020,211	$ 11,318		$ 6,132
Issuance of common stock under stock compensation plans, net of tax effect			4,139		18,236					4,139	18,236
Issuance of stock under ESPP			1,124		1,309					1,124	1,309
Share-based compensation			21,353		29,312					21,353	29,312
Dividends			(55,615)		(247,570)					(55,615)	(247,570)
Share repurchases					(49,361)						(49,361)
Redeemable noncontrolling interest redemption value adjustment			3,060		(1,143)					3,060	(1,143)
Comprehensive income (loss):
Net earnings	66,846	70,091	172,240	189,124	294,503					169,634	289,508		2,606	4,995
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(15,091)	30,785	19,517	10,907	(1,440)					20,044	(1,631)		(527)	191
Unrealized loss on hedges, net of income tax	6,086	(6,499)	2,256	(5,442)	(3,634)					2,256	(3,634)
Unrealized gain on investments, net of income tax	(265)	36	(220)	231	116					(220)	116
SERP prior service cost and actuarial valuation loss amortization, including curtailment expense, net of tax effect	378	343	1,343	5,018	(477)					1,343	(477)
Stockholders' equity, balances at the end of the period	1,235,391		1,235,391		1,066,194					1,221,994	1,054,876	1,020,211	13,397	11,318	6,132
Comprehensive income (loss), income tax effect
Unrealized loss on hedges, tax effect			(469)		399					(469)	399
Unrealized gain on investments, tax effect			119		(72)					119	(72)
SERP prior service cost and actuarial valuation loss amortization, tax effect			(666)		251					(666)	251
Redeemable noncontrolling interests reconciliation
Redeemable noncontrolling interest, redemption value at the beginning of the period			14,711	13,813		7,800	10,700	4,400	4,000
Redeemable noncontrolling interest redemption value adjustment			(3,060)		1,143
Redeemable noncontrolling interest foreign currency translation adjustment			540		(245)
Redeemable noncontrolling interest, redemption value at the end of the period	12,191		12,191		14,711	7,800	10,700	4,400	4,000
Redeemable noncontrolling interests put arrangements
Number of majority-owned subsidiaries acquired with put arrangements	2		2
Redeemable noncontrolling interest, redemption value	$ 12,191		$ 12,191		$ 14,711	$ 7,800	$ 10,700	$ 4,400	$ 4,000
Total outstanding equity interest in subsidiary covered by put arrangement (as a percent)						25.00%		40.00%