Property and Equipment (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Land	$ 17,495us-gaap_Land	$ 17,986us-gaap_Land
Buildings	201,024aeo_BuildingsGross	140,600aeo_BuildingsGross
Leasehold improvements	571,312us-gaap_LeaseholdImprovementsGross	600,572us-gaap_LeaseholdImprovementsGross
Fixtures and equipment	852,408us-gaap_FixturesAndEquipmentGross	732,228us-gaap_FixturesAndEquipmentGross
Construction in progress	42,470us-gaap_ConstructionInProgressGross	102,974us-gaap_ConstructionInProgressGross
Property and equipment, at cost	1,684,709us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross	1,594,360us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross
Less: Accumulated depreciation	(989,853)	(961,374)
Property and equipment, net	$ 694,856us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet	$ 632,986us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet

Buildings, Gross

No definition available.

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- Definition

Amount of accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization for physical assets used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services.

+ References

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

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-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

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-Section 02

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- Definition

Amount of structure or a modification to a structure under construction. Includes recently completed structures or modifications to structures that have not been placed into service.

+ References

+ Details

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- Definition

Amount before accumulated depreciation of fixtures and equipment. Includes, but is not limited to, machinery, equipment, and engines.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Amount before accumulated depletion of real estate held for productive use, excluding land held for sale.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

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-Subparagraph (e)

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- Definition

Amount before accumulated depreciation of additions or improvements to assets held under a lease arrangement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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- Definition

Amount before accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization of physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale. Examples include, but are not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, and furniture and fixtures.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

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- Definition

Amount after accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization of physical assets used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale. Examples include, but are not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, and furniture and fixtures.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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