Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
May 03, 2014	May 04, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Pension liability adjustment, tax amount	$ 0.4	$ 0.6
Postretirement liability adjustment, tax amount	$ 0	$ 0

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension Liability Adjustment, Tax Amount

No definition available.

Name:	gco_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossPensionLiabilityAdjustmentTaxAmount
Namespace Prefix:	gco_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration