Document And Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 29, 2016 shares
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	TRANS WORLD ENTERTAINMENT CORP
Document Type	10-Q
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--01-31
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	36,115,388
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Central Index Key	0000795212
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Document Period End Date	Oct. 29, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3