Document and Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Aug. 03, 2019	Aug. 30, 2019
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	1-3083
Entity Registrant Name	Genesco Inc
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	TN
Entity Tax Identification Number	62-0211340
Entity Address, Address Line One	1415 Murfreesboro Road
Entity Address, City or Town	Nashville,
Entity Address, State or Province	TN
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	37217-2895
City Area Code	(615)
Local Phone Number	367-7000
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $1.00 par value
Trading Symbol	GCO
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 Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		14,998,860
Entity Central Index Key	0000018498
Document Period End Date	Aug. 03, 2019
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--02-01