Stockholders' Equity and Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Apr. 28, 2012 subsidiary	Apr. 30, 2011	Jan. 28, 2012
Stockholders' equity reconciliation
Stockholders' equity, balances at the beginning of the period	$ 1,194,265	$ 1,066,194	$ 1,066,194
Issuance of common stock under stock compensation plans, net of tax effect	(156)		2,923
Issuance of stock under ESPP	370		1,377
Share-based compensation	4,802		28,100
Dividends	(17,988)		(74,166)
Noncontrolling interest capital contribution	1,279
Share repurchases			(92,082)
Redeemable noncontrolling interest redemption value adjustment	(2,023)		5,772
Comprehensive income (loss):
Net earnings	27,213	43,584	270,650
Foreign currency translation adjustment	2,720	49,733	(17,453)
Unrealized gain (loss) on hedges, net of income tax	(2,794)		6,048
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments, net of income tax	143		(43)
SERP prior service cost amortization, curtailment and actuarial valuation loss and related amortization, net of income tax	612		(3,055)
Stockholders' equity, balances at the end of the period	1,208,443		1,194,265
Comprehensive income (loss), income tax effect
Unrealized gain (loss) on hedges, tax effect	701		(1,170)
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments, tax effect	(89)		24
SERP prior service cost amortization, curtailment and actuarial valuation loss and related amortization, tax effect	(378)	(336)	2,057
Redeemable noncontrolling interests reconciliation
Redeemable noncontrolling interest, redemption value at the beginning of the period	8,293	14,711	14,711
Redeemable noncontrolling interest redemption value adjustment	2,023		(5,772)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	26		(646)
Redeemable noncontrolling interest, redemption value at the end of the period	10,342		8,293
Redeemable noncontrolling interests put arrangements
Number of majority-owned subsidiaries acquired with put arrangements	2
Redeemable noncontrolling interest, redemption value	10,342		8,293
Focus
Redeemable noncontrolling interests reconciliation
Redeemable noncontrolling interest, redemption value at the end of the period	3,500		4,200
Redeemable noncontrolling interests put arrangements
Redeemable noncontrolling interest, redemption value	3,500		4,200
Total outstanding equity interest in subsidiary covered by put arrangement (as a percent)	25.00%
Guess Sud
Redeemable noncontrolling interests reconciliation
Redeemable noncontrolling interest, redemption value at the end of the period	6,800		4,100
Redeemable noncontrolling interests put arrangements
Redeemable noncontrolling interest, redemption value	6,800		4,100
Total outstanding equity interest in subsidiary covered by put arrangement (as a percent)	40.00%
Guess?, Inc. Stockholders' Equity
Stockholders' equity reconciliation
Stockholders' equity, balances at the beginning of the period	1,175,630	1,054,876	1,054,876
Issuance of common stock under stock compensation plans, net of tax effect	(156)		2,923
Issuance of stock under ESPP	370		1,377
Share-based compensation	4,802		28,100
Dividends	(17,988)		(74,166)
Share repurchases			(92,082)
Redeemable noncontrolling interest redemption value adjustment	(2,662)		3,721
Comprehensive income (loss):
Net earnings	26,646		265,500
Foreign currency translation adjustment	2,718		(17,569)
Unrealized gain (loss) on hedges, net of income tax	(2,794)		6,048
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments, net of income tax	143		(43)
SERP prior service cost amortization, curtailment and actuarial valuation loss and related amortization, net of income tax	612		(3,055)
Stockholders' equity, balances at the end of the period	1,187,321		1,175,630
Nonredeemable Noncontrolling Interests
Stockholders' equity reconciliation
Stockholders' equity, balances at the beginning of the period	18,635	11,318	11,318
Noncontrolling interest capital contribution	1,279
Redeemable noncontrolling interest redemption value adjustment	639		2,051
Comprehensive income (loss):
Net earnings	567		5,150
Foreign currency translation adjustment	2		116
Stockholders' equity, balances at the end of the period	$ 21,122		$ 18,635