Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Earnings (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 28, 2012	Apr. 30, 2011
Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Earnings [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 626,441	$ 619,555
Cost of goods sold	387,377	371,591
Gross profit	239,064	247,964
Selling and administrative expenses	218,914	234,140
Restructuring and other special charges, net	11,455	1,744
Operating earnings	8,695	12,080
Interest expense	(6,157)	(6,698)
Interest income	83	85
Net earnings from continuing operations	2,621	5,467
Income tax provision	(993)	(2,119)
Net earnings from continuing operations	1,628	3,348
Discontinued operations:
Earnings from operations of subsidiary, net of tax of$0 and $215, respectively		293
Net earnings from discontinued operations		293
Net earnings	1,628	3,641
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(67)	(47)
Net earnings attributable to Brown Shoe Company, Inc.	$ 1,695	$ 3,688
Basic earnings per common share:
From continuing operations	$ 0.04	$ 0.08
From discontinued operations
Basic earnings per common share attributable to Brown Shoe Company, Inc. shareholders	$ 0.04	$ 0.08
Diluted earnings per common share:
From continuing operations	$ 0.04	$ 0.08
From discontinued operations
Diluted earnings per common share attributable to Brown Shoe Company, Inc. shareholders	$ 0.04	$ 0.08
Dividends per common share	$ 0.07	$ 0.07