Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Earnings (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jul. 28, 2012	Jul. 30, 2011	Jul. 28, 2012	Jul. 30, 2011
Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Earnings [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 599,279	$ 620,590	$ 1,225,720	$ 1,240,145
Cost of goods sold	365,465	386,985	752,842	758,576
Gross profit	233,814	233,605	472,878	481,569
Selling and administrative expenses	219,261	233,914	438,175	468,054
Restructuring and other special charges, net	7,491	689	18,946	2,433
Impairment of intangible assets	5,777		5,777
Operating earnings (loss)	1,285	(998)	9,980	11,082
Interest expense	(5,758)	(6,520)	(11,915)	(13,218)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt		(1,003)		(1,003)
Interest income	77	65	160	150
Loss before income taxes from continuing operations	(4,396)	(8,456)	(1,775)	(2,989)
Income tax benefit	1,682	3,005	689	886
Net loss from continuing operations	(2,714)	(5,451)	(1,086)	(2,103)
Discontinued operations:
Earnings from operations of subsidiary, net of tax of $0, $475, $0 and $690, respectively		683		976
Net earnings from discontinued operations		683		976
Net loss	(2,714)	(4,768)	(1,086)	(1,127)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(179)	(159)	(246)	(206)
Net loss attributable to Brown Shoe Company, Inc.	$ (2,535)	$ (4,609)	$ (840)	$ (921)
Basic (loss) earnings per common share:
From continuing operations	$ (0.06)	$ (0.13)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.04)
From discontinued operations		$ 0.02		$ 0.02
Basic loss per common share attributable to Brown Shoe Company, Inc. shareholders	$ (0.06)	$ (0.11)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.02)
Diluted (loss) earnings per common share:
From continuing operations	$ (0.06)	$ (0.13)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.04)
From discontinued operations		$ 0.02		$ 0.02
Diluted loss per common share attributable to Brown Shoe Company, Inc. shareholders	$ (0.06)	$ (0.11)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.02)
Dividends per common share	$ 0.07	$ 0.07	$ 0.14	$ 0.14