General (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jul. 28, 2012	Jul. 30, 2011	Jul. 28, 2012	Jul. 30, 2011	Jan. 28, 2012
Net Sales
Commissions from leased departments	$ 10,605	$ 8,523	$ 21,719	$ 17,249
Leased department sales	72,530	60,647	149,175	124,062
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash equivalents	134,718	284,076	134,718	284,076	195,449
Impairments and Dispositions
Long-lived assets, held and used, impairment loss	4,292	166	4,292	166
Losses on the disposal of assets	(64)		(64)
Impairments and dispositions	4,680	166	4,990	3,034
Fair Value Measurements
Long-lived assets, held and used, carrying value of impaired assets	4,856		4,856
Long-lived assets, held and used, fair value of impaired assets	564		564
Long-lived assets, held and used, impairment loss	4,292	166	4,292	166
Operating Leases
Deferred rent liabilities	77,726	67,017	77,726	67,017	66,524
Gift Cards
Liability for unredeemed gift cards	25,161	25,188	25,161	25,188	28,933
Cash Equivalents [Member]
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Income earned on cash equivalents	140	428	330	672
Stores Closing Costs [Member]
Impairments and Dispositions
Impairments and dispositions	$ 324		$ 634	$ 2,868