Cover Page - shares	6 Months Ended
	Aug. 01, 2020	Aug. 29, 2020
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Aug. 01, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-34742
Entity Registrant Name	EXPRESS, INC.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	26-2828128
Entity Address, Address Line One	1 Express Drive
Entity Address, City or Town	Columbus
Entity Address, State or Province	OH
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	43230
City Area Code	614
Local Phone Number	474-4001
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Outstanding (in shares)		64,837,737
Entity Central Index Key	0001483510
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--01-30
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Amendment Flag	false
Common Stock, $.01 par value
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $.01 par value
Trading Symbol	EXPR
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Preferred Stock Purchase Rights
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Preferred Stock Purchase Rights
Trading Symbol	EXPR
Security Exchange Name	NYSE