Consolidated Statements Of Earnings (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 28, 2012	Jan. 29, 2011	Jan. 30, 2010
Consolidated Statements Of Earnings [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 2,582,824	$ 2,504,091	$ 2,241,968
Cost of goods sold	1,586,184	1,500,537	1,338,829
Gross profit	996,640	1,003,554	903,139
Selling and administrative expenses	937,419	922,976	859,693
Restructuring and other special charges, net	23,671	7,914	11,923
Operating earnings	35,550	72,664	31,523
Interest expense	(26,141)	(19,647)	(20,195)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	(1,003)
Interest income	644	203	374
Earnings before income taxes from continuing operations	9,050	53,220	11,702
Income tax provision	(326)	(16,160)	(1,259)
Net earnings from continuing operations	8,724	37,060	10,443
Discontinued operations:
Earnings from operations of subsidiary, net of tax of $1,312	1,701
Gain on sale of subsidiary, net of tax of $6,670	13,965
Net earnings from discontinued operations	15,666
Net earnings	24,390	37,060	10,443
Net (loss) earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	(199)	(173)	943
Net earnings attributable to Brown Shoe Company, Inc.	$ 24,589	$ 37,233	$ 9,500
Basic earnings per common share:
From continuing operations	$ 0.20	$ 0.85	$ 0.22
From discontinued operations	$ 0.37
Basic earnings per common share attributable to Brown Shoe Company, Inc. shareholders	$ 0.57	$ 0.85	$ 0.22
Diluted earnings per common share:
From continuing operations	$ 0.20	$ 0.85	$ 0.22
From discontinued operations	$ 0.36
Diluted earnings per common share attributable to Brown Shoe Company, Inc. shareholders	$ 0.56	$ 0.85	$ 0.22