(Loss) Earnings Per Share (Details) (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
(Loss) Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net loss from continuing operations	$ (2,714)	$ (5,451)	$ (1,086)	$ (2,103)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	179	159	246	206
Net earnings allocated to participating securities
Net loss from continuing operations	(2,535)	(5,292)	(840)	(1,897)
Net earnings from discontinued operations		683		976
Net earnings allocated to participating securities
Net earnings from discontinued operations		683		976
Net loss attributable to Brown Shoe Company, Inc. after allocation of earnings to participating securities	$ (2,535)	$ (4,609)	$ (840)	$ (921)
Denominator for basic continuing and discontinued (loss) earnings per common share attributable to Brown Shoe Company, Inc. shareholders	40,687	41,852	40,555	42,164
Dilutive effect of share-based awards
Denominator for diluted continuing and discontinued (loss) earnings per common share attributable to Brown Shoe Company, Inc. shareholders	40,687	41,852	40,555	42,164
Basic (loss) earnings per common share, From continuing operations	$ (0.06)	$ (0.13)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.04)
Basic (loss) earnings per common share, 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)
Diluted (loss) earnings per common share, 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)