Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 30, 2016	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 3,518,680	$ 3,744,030	$ 4,116,897
Cost of sales, exclusive of depreciation and amortization	1,361,137	1,430,460	1,541,462
Gross profit	2,157,543	2,313,570	2,575,435
Stores and distribution expense	1,604,214	1,703,051	1,907,687
Marketing, general and administrative expense	470,321	458,820	481,784
Restructuring (benefit) charge	(1,598)	8,431	81,500
Asset impairment	18,209	44,988	46,715
Other operating income, net	(6,441)	(15,239)	(23,074)
Operating income	72,838	113,519	80,823
Interest expense, net	18,248	14,365	7,546
Income before taxes	54,590	99,154	73,277
Income tax expense	16,031	47,333	18,649
Net income	38,559	51,821	54,628
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		0	0
Net income attributable to A&F	$ 35,576	$ 51,821	$ 54,628
Net income per share attributable to A&F
Basic	$ 0.52	$ 0.72	$ 0.71
Diluted	$ 0.51	$ 0.71	$ 0.69
Weighted-average shares outstanding
Basic	68,880	71,785	77,157
Diluted	69,417	72,937	78,666
Dividends declared per share	$ 0.80	$ 0.80	$ 0.80
Other comprehensive loss
Foreign currency translation	$ (22,516)	$ (77,929)	$ (12,683)
Derivative financial instruments, net of tax	(8,523)	15,266	5,054
Other comprehensive loss	(31,039)	(62,663)	(7,629)
Comprehensive income (loss)	7,520	(10,842)	46,999
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	2,983	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to A&F	$ 4,537	$ (10,842)	$ 46,999