Document and Entity Information (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 02, 2013	Jul. 28, 2012	Mar. 21, 2013 Common Stock Class A	Mar. 21, 2013 Common Stock Class B
Entity Registrant Name	WET SEAL INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000863456
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Feb. 02, 2013
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--02-02
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding			89,683,504	0
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Public Float		$ 235,632
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No