Interim Financial Statements - Additional Information (Detail)	May 01, 2021 Store
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Number of retail stores operated and licensed worldwide	1,300
Number of retail stores	1,000
Number of international store locations	200

Number of retail stores operated and licensed worldwide.

No definition available.

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