Business Segment Information (Schedule Of Business Segment Information) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jul. 28, 2012	Jul. 30, 2011	Jul. 28, 2012	Jul. 30, 2011	Jan. 28, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
External sales	$ 599,279	$ 620,590	$ 1,225,720	$ 1,240,145
Intersegment sales	56,407	54,826	108,541	94,727
Operating earnings (loss)	1,285	(998)	9,980	11,082
Operating segment assets	1,254,174	1,350,923	1,254,174	1,350,923	1,227,476
Famous Footwear [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
External sales	350,318	344,930	697,425	687,657
Intersegment sales	466	400	1,024	801
Operating earnings (loss)	20,539	7,495	38,840	26,277
Operating segment assets	512,892	527,195	512,892	527,195
Wholesale Operations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
External sales	194,966	215,117	418,169	432,181
Intersegment sales	55,941	54,426	107,517	93,926
Operating earnings (loss)	(2,548)	2,925	(569)	8,944
Operating segment assets	552,691	629,116	552,691	629,116
Specialty Retail [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
External sales	53,995	60,543	110,126	120,307
Operating earnings (loss)	(5,795)	(3,012)	(9,322)	(6,756)
Operating segment assets	48,568	54,262	48,568	54,262
Other Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating earnings (loss)	(10,911)	(8,406)	(18,969)	(17,383)
Operating segment assets	$ 140,023	$ 140,350	$ 140,023	$ 140,350