Consolidated Statements Of Shareholders' Equity (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Total Brown Shoe Company, Inc. Shareholders' Equity [Member]	Non-Controlling Interests [Member]	Total
Balance at Jan. 31, 2009	$ 423	$ 147,702	$ (5,781)	$ 251,760	$ 394,104	$ 8,110	$ 402,214
Balance, shares at Jan. 31, 2009	42,323,224
Net earnings				9,500	9,500	943	10,443
Foreign currency translation adjustment			3,434		3,434	3	3,437
Unrealized gains/losses on derivative financial instruments, net of tax benefit/provision			(985)		(985)		(985)
Pension and other postretirement benefits adjustments, net of tax provision			3,509		3,509		3,509
Comprehensive income					15,458	946	16,404
Dividends				(12,009)	(12,009)		(12,009)
Stock issued under employee and director benefit and restricted stock plans	6	(3)			3		3
Stock issued under employee and director benefit and restricted stock plans, shares	568,681
Tax deficiency related to share-based plans		(58)			(58)		(58)
Share-based compensation expense		4,673			4,673		4,673
Balance at Jan. 30, 2010	429	152,314	177	249,251	402,171	9,056	411,227
Balance, shares at Jan. 30, 2010	42,891,905
Net earnings				37,233	37,233	(173)	37,060
Foreign currency translation adjustment			2,127		2,127	23	2,150
Unrealized gains/losses on derivative financial instruments, net of tax benefit/provision			404		404		404
Pension and other postretirement benefits adjustments, net of tax provision			3,433		3,433		3,433
Comprehensive income					43,197	(150)	43,047
Dividends				(12,254)	(12,254)		(12,254)
Contributions by noncontrolling interests						527	527
Stock issued in connection with acquisition of the noncontrolling interest	5	7,304			7,309		7,309
Stock issued in connection with acquisition of the noncontrolling interest, shares	473,081
Distribution to noncontrolling interest		(31,397)			(31,397)	(8,604)	(40,001)
Stock issued under employee and director benefit and restricted stock plans	5	(8)			(3)		(3)
Stock issued under employee and director benefit and restricted stock plans, shares	546,300
Tax deficiency related to share-based plans		(87)			(87)		(87)
Share-based compensation expense		6,144			6,144		6,144
Balance at Jan. 29, 2011	439	134,270	6,141	274,230	415,080	829	415,909
Balance, shares at Jan. 29, 2011	43,911,286
Net earnings				24,589	24,589	(199)	24,390
Foreign currency translation adjustment			168		168	39	207
Unrealized gains/losses on derivative financial instruments, net of tax benefit/provision			387		387		387
Pension and other postretirement benefits adjustments, net of tax provision			2,941		2,941		2,941
Comprehensive income					28,085	(160)	27,925
Dividends				(12,076)	(12,076)		(12,076)
Contributions by noncontrolling interests						378	378
Stock issued under employee and director benefit and restricted stock plans	6	425			431		431
Stock issued under employee and director benefit and restricted stock plans, shares	559,401
Acquisition of treasury stock	(25)	(25,459)			(25,484)		(25,484)
Acquisition of treasury stock, shares	(2,500,000)
Tax benefit related to share-based plans		1,000			1,000		1,000
Share-based compensation expense		5,633			5,633		5,633
Balance at Jan. 28, 2012	$ 420	$ 115,869	$ 9,637	$ 286,743	$ 412,669	$ 1,047	$ 413,716
Balance, shares at Jan. 28, 2012	41,970,687