Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	0 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended					1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended			0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 29, 2011	Jan. 28, 2012	Oct. 29, 2011	Apr. 30, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010	Jan. 28, 2012	Jan. 29, 2011	Jan. 30, 2010	Apr. 12, 2011 Express [Member]	Jul. 29, 2011 Express [Member]	Dec. 15, 2010 Express [Member]	Mar. 31, 2010 Express [Member]	Jan. 29, 2011 Express [Member]	Jul. 31, 2010 Express [Member]	May 01, 2010 Express [Member]	Jul. 30, 2011 Express [Member]	Jul. 31, 2007 Express [Member]	Feb. 28, 2010 Limited Stores [Member]	Jul. 31, 2010 Limited Stores [Member]	Jun. 10, 2010 Limited Stores [Member]	Aug. 31, 2007 Limited Stores [Member]	Oct. 31, 2011 Third Party Sourcing Business [Member]	Jan. 28, 2012 Third Party Sourcing Business [Member]	Jan. 28, 2012 LaSenza [Member]
Equity Method Investment Dividends Or Distributions Return Of Capital									$ 86		$ 45	$ 49						$ 7
Noncash Contribution Expense	113			50						163
Gain Loss On Joint Ventures Net Of Tax				11
Non Taxable Gain From Contribution Of Shares To Foundation										147
Effect of tax benefit related to certain discrete foreign and state income tax items			17
Impairment Of Goodwill And Intangible Assets		232				232	6	3
Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) from Disposal of Discontinued Operation, before Income Tax		111				111	0	0															111
Ownership Interest In Business Sold																						51.00%
Restructuring Charges		24																						24
Effect of tax benefit primarily related to the reorganization of certain foreign subsidiaries		28
Pre-tax gain on cash distributions															49
Cash distributions															57
Pre-tax gain from initial public offering														52
Pre-tax loss on early retirement of 2012 and 2014 notes					25
Pre-tax gain on remaining 25% of ownership																			20
Equity method investment ownership percentage divested																25.00%	75.00%		25.00%	25.00%	75.00%
Pre-tax gain on sale of stock													45
Pre-tax gain from payment of dividends													$ 7