Contribution of shares

No definition available.

Name:	ltd_ContributionOfShares
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Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Cost method ownership percentage.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	ltd_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Divested Remaining Ownership Percentage.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	ltd_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Non Taxable Gain From Contribution Of Shares To Foundation

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	ltd_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Ownership Interest After Initial Public Offering

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ltd_OwnershipInterestAfterInitialPublicOffering
Namespace Prefix:	ltd_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Ownership Interest In Business Sold

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	ltd_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Shares of common stock sold in secondary offering

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	ltd_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Number of shares of stock sold in Express initial public offering.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ltd_SharesSoldInExpressInitialPublicOffering
Namespace Prefix:	ltd_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of gain (loss), before tax expense or benefit and not previously recognized, resulting from the sale of a business component.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 144

-Paragraph 47

-Subparagraph b

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 205

-SubTopic 20

-Section 45

-Paragraph 3

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6892542&loc=d3e957-107759

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 144

-Paragraph 43

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 205

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6360339&loc=d3e1361-107760

+ Details

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Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. This item represents investments accounted for under the equity method of accounting as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

-Number 18

-Paragraph 6

-Subparagraph b

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 323

-SubTopic 10

-Section 25

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6903542&loc=d3e32014-111567

+ Details

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- Definition

Gain (loss) on entity's disposition of equity in securities of subsidiaries or 50 percent or less owned persons. Reflects the difference in the parent company's carrying amount of the equity interest in the subsidiary (or equity method investee) immediately before and after all stock transactions.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Paragraph 13

-Subparagraph g

-Article 9

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 225

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-04.13(g))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879574&loc=d3e536633-122882

+ Details

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- Definition

The cash inflow associated with the amount received from the sale of a portion of the company's business, for example a segment, division, branch or other business, during the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Investing Activities

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 12

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3179-108585

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 15, 16

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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- Definition

The cash inflow associated with the sale of equity method investments, which are investments in joint ventures and entities in which the entity has an equity ownership interest normally of 20 to 50 percent and exercises significant influence.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 16

-Subparagraph b

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Investing Activities

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 12

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3179-108585

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 15

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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Divestitures (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		0 Months Ended				1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended				1 Months Ended
	May 13, 2010	Jan. 28, 2012	Feb. 02, 2013	Jan. 28, 2012	Jan. 29, 2011	Oct. 31, 2011 Third Party Sourcing Business [Member]	Apr. 28, 2012 Third Party Sourcing Business [Member]	Jan. 28, 2012 Third Party Sourcing Business [Member]	Apr. 12, 2011 Express [Member]	Dec. 15, 2010 Express [Member]	May 13, 2010 Express [Member]	May 14, 2010 Express [Member]	Jul. 29, 2011 Express [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Express [Member]	Jul. 31, 2010 Express [Member]	Jul. 30, 2011 Express [Member]	May 12, 2010 Express [Member]	Jul. 31, 2007 Express [Member]	Jun. 30, 2010 Limited Stores [Member]	Jun. 10, 2010 Limited Stores [Member]	Aug. 31, 2007 Limited Stores [Member]
Ownership Interest In Business Sold						51.00%
Pre tax net cash proceeds from divestitures						$ 124	$ 11
Gain on Divestiture of Third-Party Apparel Sourcing Business		111	0	111	0			111
Equity method investment ownership percentage divested																	25.00%	75.00%		25.00%	75.00%
Shares sold in Express Initial Public Offering											1.3
Gain on Sale of Equity Method Investment			0	86	45				86			52		45					20
Ownership Interest After Initial Public Offering	18.00%									14.00%					18.00%
Shares Of Common Stock Sold In Secondary Offering									5.5	3.6
Cost Method Investment Ownership Percentage									8.00%				0.00%
Contribution Of Shares													7.2
Fair Value of Express stock contributed to Limited Brands Foundation																163
Non Taxable Gain From Contribution Of Shares To Foundation													147
Proceeds from Sale of Equity Method Investments									$ 99		$ 20			$ 52					$ 32