Document and Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 30, 2016	Aug. 26, 2016
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	DSW Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	0001319947
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--01-28
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jul. 30, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Class A Common Shares
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		74,501,062
Class B Common Shares
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		7,732,807