Commitments and Contingencies Guarantees Related to Discontinued Operations (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
May 02, 2015	Jan. 28, 2012
Property Subject to or Available for Operating Lease [Line Items]
Stockholders Equity Reverse Stock Split Conversion Ratio		0.435
Receipt of cash from bankruptcy claim	$ 2.0dsw_ReceiptOfCashFromBankruptcyClaim

This item represents the conversion ratio used in the calculation of the reverse stock split related to the Merger.

No definition available.

Name:	dsw_StockholdersEquityReverseStockSplitConversionRatio
Namespace Prefix:	dsw_
Data Type:	xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration