Employee service share based compensation tax benefit (expense) realized from exercise of stock options.

No definition available.

Name:	aeo_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitExpenseRealizedFromExerciseOfStockOptions
Namespace Prefix:	aeo_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Issuance of common stock shares for stock-based compensation.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	aeo_IssuanceOfCommonStockSharesForStockBasedCompensation
Namespace Prefix:	aeo_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of share based compensation plans.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	aeo_NumberOfShareBasedCompensationPlans
Namespace Prefix:	aeo_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Share based compensation arrangement by share based payment award percentage of shares vested.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	aeo_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPercentageOfSharesVested
Namespace Prefix:	aeo_
Data Type:	dtr-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount, after tax, of expense for award under share-based payment arrangement.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpenseNetOfTax
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of cost not yet recognized for nonvested award under share-based payment arrangement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (i)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120381028&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Weighted-average period over which cost not yet recognized is expected to be recognized for award under share-based payment arrangement, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of cost to be recognized for nonvested award under share-based payment arrangement. Excludes share and unit options.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedShareBasedAwardsOtherThanOptions
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of cash inflow from exercise of option under share-based payment arrangement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2A
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120381028&loc=SL79508275-113901

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 14
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123570139&loc=d3e3255-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ProceedsFromStockOptionsExercised
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of noncash expense for share-based payment arrangement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123570139&loc=d3e3602-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Period over which grantee's right to exercise award under share-based payment arrangement is no longer contingent on satisfaction of service or performance condition, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days. Includes, but is not limited to, combination of market, performance or service condition.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (a)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120381028&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The number of grants made during the period on other than stock (or unit) option plans (for example, phantom stock or unit plan, stock or unit appreciation rights plan, performance target plan).

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (c)(2)(iii)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120381028&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The highest quantity of shares an employee can purchase under the plan per period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120381028&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumNumberOfSharesPerEmployee
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of shares authorized for issuance under share-based payment arrangement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (a)(3)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120381028&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The difference between the maximum number of shares (or other type of equity) authorized for issuance under the plan (including the effects of amendments and adjustments), and the sum of: 1) the number of shares (or other type of equity) already issued upon exercise of options or other equity-based awards under the plan; and 2) shares (or other type of equity) reserved for issuance on granting of outstanding awards, net of cancellations and forfeitures, if applicable.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of accumulated difference between fair value of underlying shares on dates of exercise and exercise price on options exercised (or share units converted) into shares.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (d)(2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120381028&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The weighted average grant-date fair value of options granted during the reporting period as calculated by applying the disclosed option pricing methodology.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (d)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120381028&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	dtr-types:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Value, after forfeiture, of shares issued under share-based payment arrangement. Excludes employee stock ownership plan (ESOP).

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120397183&loc=d3e187085-122770

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120381028&loc=d3e5047-113901

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(28))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120391452&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 4: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(29))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120391452&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 5: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (d)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120381028&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByTypeOfDeferredCompensationAxis=aeo_EmployeeStockPlan2020PlanMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_TitleOfIndividualAxis=srt_DirectorMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_StatementScenarioAxis=aeo_ScenarioOneMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByTypeOfDeferredCompensationAxis=aeo_EmployeeStockPlan2017PlanMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=aeo_EmployeeStockOptionsAndStockSettledStockAppreciationRightsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=aeo_RestrictedStockAndRestrictedStockUnitsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_RangeAxis=srt_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_RangeAxis=srt_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=aeo_TimeBasedRestrictedStockMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=aeo_TimeBasedRestrictedStockUnitsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VestingAxis=us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheOneMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VestingAxis=us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheTwoMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Share-Based Payments - Additional Information (Detail)			12 Months Ended
Share-Based Payments - Additional Information (Detail)	Apr. 13, 2020 USD ($) shares	May 23, 2017 USD ($) shares	Jan. 29, 2022 USD ($) CompensationPlan $ / shares shares	Jan. 30, 2021 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Feb. 01, 2020 USD ($)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation \| $			$ 38,153,000	$ 32,778,000	$ 23,038,000
Share-based compensation, net of tax \| $			$ 28,800,000	24,600,000	17,900,000
Number of share-based compensation plans \| CompensationPlan			2
Stock awards \| $			$ 37,887,000	$ 32,298,000	22,742,000
Weighted-average grant date fair value of stock options granted \| $ / shares			$ 11.68	$ 3.06
Aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised \| $			$ 12,800,000	$ 700,000	800,000
Net proceeds from stock options exercised \| $			13,065,000	3,265,000	2,119,000
Tax benefit realized from stock option exercises \| $			$ 4,500,000	$ 1,200,000	$ 1,200,000
Shares available for all equity grants			7,500,000
2020 Stock Award and Incentive Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Authorized shares under the plan	10,200,000
Shares of common stock granted			1,200,000
2020 Stock Award and Incentive Plan \| Director \| In any single calendar year
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock awards \| $	$ 750,000
2017 Stock Award and Incentive Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Authorized shares under the plan		11,200,000
Shares of common stock granted				3,500,000
2017 Stock Award and Incentive Plan \| Director \| In any single calendar year
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock awards \| $		$ 750,000
Stock options, SAR, dividend equivalents, performance awards or other non-full value stock awards \| 2020 Stock Award and Incentive Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Maximum number of options that may be granted to any individual	3,000,000.0
Stock options, SAR, dividend equivalents, performance awards or other non-full value stock awards \| 2017 Stock Award and Incentive Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Maximum number of options that may be granted to any individual		3,000,000.0
Restricted stock awards, restricted stock units or other full value stock awards \| 2020 Stock Award and Incentive Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Maximum number of options that may be granted to any individual	1,500,000
Restricted stock awards, restricted stock units or other full value stock awards \| 2017 Stock Award and Incentive Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Maximum number of options that may be granted to any individual		1,500,000
Restricted Stock \| 2020 Stock Award and Incentive Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares granted			2,000,000.0
Restricted Stock \| 2017 Stock Award and Incentive Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares granted				7,700,000
Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares granted			339,000
Vesting period			3 years
Unrecognized compensation expense, restricted stock grants \| $			$ 6,900,000
Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units \| Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation expense, weighted average period			1 year
Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units \| Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation expense, weighted average period			3 years
Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units \| 2020 Stock Award and Incentive Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of shares vested			40.00%
Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units \| 2017 Stock Award and Incentive Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of shares vested			80.00%
Time-based restricted stock awards \| 2020 Stock Award and Incentive Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of shares vested			60.00%
Time-based restricted stock awards \| 2017 Stock Award and Incentive Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of shares vested			20.00%
Employee Stock Option
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation expense \| $			$ 6,500,000
Unrecognized compensation expense, weighted average period			1 year 10 months 24 days
Time Based Restricted Stock Units
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares granted			724,000
Vesting period			3 years
Unrecognized compensation expense, weighted average period			1 year 9 months 18 days
Unrecognized compensation expense, restricted stock grants \| $			$ 25,800,000
Vest Ratably \| 2020 Stock Award and Incentive Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of shares vested			97.00%
Vesting period			3 years
Vest Ratably \| 2017 Stock Award and Incentive Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of shares vested			98.00%
Vesting period			3 years
Vest Ratably 1 \| 2020 Stock Award and Incentive Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of shares vested			3.00%
Vest Ratably 1 \| 2020 Stock Award and Incentive Plan \| Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period			1 year
Vest Ratably 1 \| 2020 Stock Award and Incentive Plan \| Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period			2 years
Vest Ratably 1 \| 2017 Stock Award and Incentive Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of shares vested			2.00%
Vest Ratably 1 \| 2017 Stock Award and Incentive Plan \| Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period			1 year
Vest Ratably 1 \| 2017 Stock Award and Incentive Plan \| Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period			2 years