Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 02, 2013	Jan. 28, 2012	Jan. 29, 2011
Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 1,645,800	$ 1,511,919	$ 1,470,590
Cost of sales and related buying, occupancy and distribution expenses	1,186,025	1,101,319	1,053,766
Gross profit	459,775	410,600	416,824
Selling, general and administrative expenses	392,727	353,834	350,865
Store opening costs	3,657	5,670	3,192
Interest expense, net of income of $0, $24 and $88, respectively	3,011	3,821	3,875
Income before income tax	60,380	47,275	58,892
Income tax expense	22,201	16,315	21,252
Net income	38,179	30,960	37,640
Other comprehensive (loss) income:
Employee benefit related adjustment, net of tax of $992, $1,289 and $1,634, respectively	(1,645)	(2,186)	2,697
Amortization of employee benefit related costs, net of tax of $156, $220, and $162 respectively	258	373	265
Total other comprehensive (loss) income	(1,387)	(1,813)	2,962
Comprehensive income	$ 36,792	$ 29,147	$ 40,602
Basic and diluted earnings per share data:
Basic earnings per share	$ 1.20	$ 0.93	$ 1.00
Basic weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	31,278	33,021	37,656
Diluted earnings per share	$ 1.19	$ 0.92	$ 0.99
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	31,600	33,278	38,010