Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	May 02, 2015	Jan. 31, 2015	May 03, 2014
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Allowances on accounts receivable	$ 4,669	$ 4,191	$ 4,276
Accumulated amortization on trademarks	5,266gco_AccumulatedAmortizationTrademark	5,054gco_AccumulatedAmortizationTrademark	4,485gco_AccumulatedAmortizationTrademark
Accumulated amortization on other intangibles	$ 24,081	$ 23,389	$ 21,436
Common stock, par value (usd per share)	$ 1	$ 1	$ 1
Common stock, shares authorized	80,000,000us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized	80,000,000us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized	80,000,000us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized
Common stock, shares issued	24,532,405us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued	24,515,362us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued	24,472,182us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued
Common Stock, shares outstanding	24,043,941us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding	24,026,898us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding	23,983,718us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding
Shares in treasury	488,464us-gaap_TreasuryStockShares	488,464us-gaap_TreasuryStockShares	488,464us-gaap_TreasuryStockShares

Accumulated amortization on trademarks.

No definition available.

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- Definition

A valuation allowance for trade and other receivables due to an Entity within one year (or the normal operating cycle, whichever is longer) that are expected to be uncollectible.

+ References

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-Publisher SEC

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- Definition

Face amount or stated value per share of common stock.

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- Definition

The maximum number of common shares permitted to be issued by an entity's charter and bylaws.

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- Definition

Total number of common shares of an entity that have been sold or granted to shareholders (includes common shares that were issued, repurchased and remain in the treasury). These shares represent capital invested by the firm's shareholders and owners, and may be all or only a portion of the number of shares authorized. Shares issued include shares outstanding and shares held in the treasury.

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- Definition

Number of shares of common stock outstanding. Common stock represent the ownership interest in a corporation.

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-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

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- Definition

Accumulated amount of amortization of assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life.

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- Definition

Number of common and preferred shares that were previously issued and that were repurchased by the issuing entity and held in treasury on the financial statement date. This stock has no voting rights and receives no dividends.

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