Impact of VIES on Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Aug. 03, 2013	Jul. 28, 2012	Aug. 03, 2013	Jul. 28, 2012
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 290,916	$ 268,752	$ 583,699	$ 566,503
Cost of goods sold	(183,830)	(179,564)	(355,640)	(355,491)
Operating expenses	(102,023)	(95,595)	(206,152)	(187,334)
Operating income (loss)	5,063	(6,407)	21,907	23,678
Other non-operating (expense) income	(20,517)	(21,172)	(40,869)	(44,074)
Loss before income taxes	(15,454)	(27,579)	(18,962)	(20,396)
Income tax benefit	6,129	13,513	6,789	10,500
Net (loss) income	(9,325)	(14,066)	(12,173)	(9,896)
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(25)	798	287	1,624
Net loss attributable to The Gymboree Corporation	(9,350)	(13,268)	(11,886)	(8,272)
Balance Before Consolidation of VIEs
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Net sales	287,145	267,491	576,625	565,422
Cost of goods sold	(182,693)	(178,513)	(353,475)	(354,562)
Operating expenses	(99,131)	(94,308)	(200,762)	(185,202)
Operating income (loss)	5,321	(5,330)	22,388	25,658
Other non-operating (expense) income	(20,540)	(21,201)	(41,023)	(44,090)
Loss before income taxes	(15,219)	(26,531)	(18,635)	(18,432)
Income tax benefit	5,854	13,229	6,715	10,275
Net (loss) income	(9,365)	(13,302)	(11,920)	(8,157)
Net loss attributable to The Gymboree Corporation	(9,365)	(13,302)	(11,920)	(8,157)
VIEs
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Net sales	4,998	3,056	9,632	5,199
Cost of goods sold	(1,341)	(1,202)	(2,571)	(1,444)
Operating expenses	(3,930)	(2,965)	(7,576)	(5,620)
Operating income (loss)	(273)	(1,111)	(515)	(1,865)
Other non-operating (expense) income	23	29	154	16
Loss before income taxes	(250)	(1,082)	(361)	(1,849)
Income tax benefit	275	284	74	225
Net (loss) income	25	(798)	(287)	(1,624)
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(25)	798	287	1,624
Eliminations
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Net sales	(1,227)	(1,795)	(2,558)	(4,118)
Cost of goods sold	204	151	406	515
Operating expenses	1,038	1,678	2,186	3,488
Operating income (loss)	15	34	34	(115)
Loss before income taxes	15	34	34	(115)
Net (loss) income	15	34	34	(115)
Net loss attributable to The Gymboree Corporation	$ 15	$ 34	$ 34	$ (115)