v3.3.1.900
Stock-based Compensation Options (Details) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands
 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Jan. 30, 2016
Jan. 31, 2015
Jan. 30, 2016
Jan. 31, 2015
Feb. 01, 2014
DSW Stock-Based Compensation Plans [Abstract]          
Number of shares authorized (in shares) 8,500   8,500    
Annual vesting percentage (in hundredths)     20.00%    
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]          
Share-based compensation expense     $ 13,501 $ 10,495 $ 9,342
Stock options activity [Roll forward]          
Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price $ 25.56   $ 25.56    
Exercisable Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price $ 20.35   $ 20.35    
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest [Abstract]          
Options exercisable, Aggregate Instrinsic Value $ 12,905   $ 12,905    
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized [Abstract]          
Share-based Goods and Nonemployee Services Transaction, Modification of Terms, Incremental Compensation Cost 100        
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Intrinsic Value $ 13,611   $ 13,611    
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Number of Exercisable Options 2,007   2,007    
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member]          
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions and Methodology [Abstract]          
Risk-free interest rate 0.40% 0.60%      
Annual volatility of DSW Common Shares 32.98% 24.90%      
Expected option term 5 months 2 years 4 months      
Dividend yield 2.48% 2.30%      
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]          
Share-based compensation expense     $ 1,100 1,700  
Liabilities $ 600 $ 1,700 $ 600 1,700  
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized [Abstract]          
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Non-Option Equity Instruments, Outstanding, Number 500   500    
Performance Based Restricted Stock Units (PSUs) [Member]          
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]          
Share-based compensation expense     $ 3,979 $ 1,324 $ 503
Stock options activity [Roll forward]          
Outstanding, end of period (in units) 293 173 293 173 69
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized [Abstract]          
Weighted average expense recognition period (in years)     2 years 1 month    
Stock Options [Member]          
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions and Methodology [Abstract]          
Risk-free interest rate     1.39% 1.81% 0.70%
Annual volatility of DSW Common Shares     37.91% 44.50% 53.40%
Expected option term     5 years 1 month 5 years 5 months 4 years 8 months
Dividend yield     2.13% 2.30% 1.30%
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]          
Weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share)     $ 8.87 $ 11.82 $ 12.85
Share-based compensation expense     $ 5,532 $ 5,827 $ 5,891
Stock options activity [Roll forward]          
Outstanding, beginning of period (in shares)     3,156 3,347 3,694
Granted     1,395 502 492
Exercised     (539) (505) (748)
Forfeited     (163) (188) (91)
Outstanding, end of period (in shares) 3,849 3,156 3,849 3,156 3,347
Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price     $ 20.91 $ 17.62 $ 14.50
Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price     32.47 34.49 31.75
Options, Exercises in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price     13.83 10.22 10.99
Options, Forfeitures and Expirations in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price     33.34 27.32 21.79
Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price $ 25.56 $ 20.91 25.56 20.91 17.62
Exercisable Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price $ 20.35 $ 15.16 $ 20.35 $ 15.16 $ 13.08
Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]          
Options, Vested in Period, Fair Value     $ 3,700 $ 2,500 $ 3,800
Options, Exercises in Period, Total Intrinsic Value     $ 8,900 $ 11,900 $ 20,900
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest [Abstract]          
Options exercisable end of year 2,007 1,682 2,007 1,682 1,430
Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term     3 years 4 months    
Options exercisable, Aggregate Instrinsic Value $ 12,905   $ 12,905    
Options expected to vest (in shares) 1,639   1,639    
Options Expected to Vest WAEP $ 31.26   $ 31.26    
Options Expected to Vest, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term     8 years 8 months    
Options Expected to Vest, Aggregate Intrinsic Value $ 612   $ 612    
Options vested and expected to vest (in shares) 3,646   3,646    
Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price $ 25.25   $ 25.25    
Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term     5 years 8 months    
Options vested and expected to vest, Aggregate Intrinsic Value $ 13,517   $ 13,517    
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized [Abstract]          
Compensation cost not yet recognized related to nonvested awards $ 14,500   $ 14,500    
Weighted average expense recognition period (in years)     2 years 1 month 27 days