Document And Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 28, 2012	Mar. 20, 2012	Jul. 31, 2010
Entities [Table]
Entity Registrant Name	CHARMING SHOPPES INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000019353
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--01-28
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 514,132,013
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		116,533,167
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jan. 28, 2012