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Restructuring Charges - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Nov. 01, 2014
Jan. 31, 2015
Feb. 01, 2014
Feb. 02, 2013
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]        
Asset impairment charges   $ 33,468us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges $ 44,465us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges $ 34,869us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges
Segment, Discontinued Operations        
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]        
Asset impairment charges 25,100us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis
= us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember
25,100us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis
= us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember
25,200us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis
= us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember
34,900us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis
= us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember
Noncash Corporate Office And Other Asset Impairments Charges        
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]        
Asset impairment charges $ 8,400us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= aeo_NoncashCorporateOfficeAndOtherAssetImpairmentsChargesMember
$ 8,400us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= aeo_NoncashCorporateOfficeAndOtherAssetImpairmentsChargesMember