Quarterly Results Of Operations (Schedule Of Quarterly Results Of Operations) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Jan. 28, 2012	Oct. 29, 2011	Jul. 30, 2011	Apr. 30, 2011	Jan. 29, 2011	Oct. 30, 2010	Jul. 31, 2010	May 01, 2010	Jan. 28, 2012	Jan. 29, 2011	Jan. 30, 2010
Net Sales	$ 569,207	$ 538,546	$ 551,449	$ 537,158	$ 474,974	$ 483,022	$ 465,371	$ 481,588	$ 2,196,360	$ 1,904,954	$ 1,713,150
Gross Margin	297,872	301,508	309,327	317,663	252,723	275,067	259,207	281,580	1,226,371	1,068,575	959,741
Net Income	25,098	26,467	43,391	45,918	20,694	28,844	30,455	35,402	140,874	115,394	69,646
Net Income Per Common Share - Basic	$ 0.150	$ 0.160	$ 0.250	$ 0.260	$ 0.120	$ 0.160	$ 0.170	$ 0.200
Net Income Per Common and Common Equivalent Share - Diluted	$ 0.150	$ 0.160	$ 0.250	$ 0.260	$ 0.120	$ 0.160	$ 0.170	$ 0.200
Chico's/Soma Intimates [Member]
Net Sales									$ 1,460,518	$ 1,314,649	$ 1,196,729