Cover Page - shares	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2020	Nov. 30, 2020
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Oct. 31, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-32545
Entity Registrant Name	DESIGNER BRANDS INC.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	OH
Entity Tax Identification Number	31-0746639
Entity Address, Address Line One	810 DSW Drive,
Entity Address, City or Town	Columbus,
Entity Address, State or Province	OH
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	43219
City Area Code	614
Local Phone Number	237-7100
Title of 12(b) Security	Class A Common Shares, without par value
Trading Symbol	DBI
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Central Index Key	0001319947
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--01-30
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Class A common shares
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		64,660,091
Class B common shares
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		7,732,786