Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 28, 2012	Apr. 30, 2011
Net Sales:
Net sales	$ 650,817	$ 537,158
Cost of goods sold	272,221	219,495
Gross margin	378,596	317,663
Selling, general and administrative expenses:
Selling, general and administrative expenses	291,676	244,845
Acquisition and integration costs	558
Total selling, general and administrative expenses	292,234	244,845
Income from operations	86,362	72,818
Interest income, net	183	400
Income before income taxes	86,545	73,218
Income tax provision	32,900	27,300
Net income	53,645	45,918
Per share data:
Net income per common share-basic	$ 0.32	$ 0.26
Net income per common and common equivalent share-diluted	$ 0.32	$ 0.26
Weighted average common shares outstanding-basic	163,973,850	174,881,470
Weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding-diluted	164,876,247	176,112,408
Comprehensive income	53,523	46,063
Dividends declared per share	$ 0.105	$ 0.10
Chico's/Soma Intimates [Member]
Net Sales:
Net sales	425,342	374,934
White House | Black Market [Member]
Net Sales:
Net sales	191,727	162,224
Boston Proper [Member]
Net Sales:
Net sales	$ 33,748