General - Notes to Financial Statements	9 Months Ended
Nov. 01, 2014
General Dsiclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Account Policies	NOTE 1 - GENERAL: The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared from the accounting records of The Cato Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (the “Company”), and all amounts shown as of and for the three and nine month periods ended November 1, 2014 and November 2, 2013 are unaudited. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair statement have been included. All such adjustments are of a normal, recurring nature unless otherwise noted. The results of the interim period may not be indicative of the results expected for the entire year. The interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto, included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended February 1, 2014. Amounts as of February 1, 2014 have been derived from the audited balance sheet, but do not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. During the fourth quarter of 2013, the Company discovered that it had improperly netted purchases and sales activity for investments within cash flows related to investing activities in prior periods. In addition, the Company had also improperly classified the premiums and amortization of premiums on those investments in cash flows related to investing activities when it should have been in cash flows related to operating activities. The Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the nine months ended November 2, 2013 has been revised to correct the presentation of the amounts, which resulted in a decrease to Net cash provided by operating activities and a corresponding decrease to Net cash provided (used) in investing activities of $1.3 million dollars. The revision is not deemed material to the prior period consolidated financial statements. The decrease in Stockholders' Equity for the first nine months ended November 1, 2014 compared to the fiscal year ended February 1, 2014 is primarily due to a stock repurchase of $42.6 million and dividends paid of $25.5 million, partially offset by net income of $51.4 million. On November 25, 2014, the Board of Directors maintained the quarterly dividend at $0.30 per share.

General - Notes to Financial Statements

9 Months Ended

Nov. 01, 2014

NOTE 1 - GENERAL:

The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared from the accounting records of The Cato Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (the “Company”), and all amounts shown as of and for the three and nine month periods ended November 1, 2014 and November 2, 2013 are unaudited. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair statement have been included. All such adjustments are of a normal, recurring nature unless otherwise noted. The results of the interim period may not be indicative of the results expected for the entire year.

The interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto, included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended February 1, 2014. Amounts as of February 1, 2014 have been derived from the audited balance sheet, but do not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

During the fourth quarter of 2013, the Company discovered that it had improperly netted purchases and sales activity for investments within cash flows related to investing activities in prior periods. In addition, the Company had also improperly classified the premiums and amortization of premiums on those investments in cash flows related to investing activities when it should have been in cash flows related to operating activities. The Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the nine months ended November 2, 2013 has been revised to correct the presentation of the amounts, which resulted in a decrease to Net cash provided by operating activities and a corresponding decrease to Net cash provided (used) in investing activities of $1.3 million dollars. The revision is not deemed material to the prior period consolidated financial statements.

The decrease in Stockholders' Equity for the first nine months ended November 1, 2014 compared to the fiscal year ended February 1, 2014 is primarily due to a stock repurchase of $42.6 million and dividends paid of $25.5 million, partially offset by net income of $51.4 million.

On November 25, 2014, the Board of Directors maintained the quarterly dividend at $0.30 per share.