Financial Information For The Company And Its Subsidiaries (Schedule Of Condensed Consolidating Statement Of Comprehensive Income) (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
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 (provision)	1,682	3,005	689	886
Net loss from continuing operations	(2,714)	(5,451)	(1,086)	(2,103)
Earnings from operations of subsidiary, net of tax		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)
Comprehensive (loss) income	(4,188)	(5,134)	(1,964)	562
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(185)	(145)	(250)	(184)
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Brown Shoe Company, Inc.	(4,003)	(4,989)	(1,714)	746
Parent [Member]
Net sales	166,415	162,265	357,170	331,465
Cost of goods sold	132,317	128,278	278,215	253,321
Gross profit	34,098	33,987	78,955	78,144
Selling and administrative expenses	44,636	44,196	85,605	87,877
Restructuring and other special charges, net	4,612	689	8,274	2,433
Impairment of intangible assets	5,777		5,777
Equity in (earnings) loss of subsidiaries	(13,900)	(5,873)	(14,821)	(11,603)
Operating earnings (loss)	(7,027)	(5,025)	(5,880)	(563)
Interest expense	(5,758)	(6,517)	(11,914)	(13,206)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt		(1,003)		(1,003)
Interest income			1
Intercompany interest income (expense)	3,120	4,034	6,528	8,254
Loss before income taxes from continuing operations	(9,665)	(8,511)	(11,265)	(6,518)
Income tax benefit (provision)	7,130	3,902	10,425	5,597
Net loss from continuing operations		(4,609)		(921)
Net loss	(2,535)	(4,609)	(840)	(921)
Net loss attributable to Brown Shoe Company, Inc.	(2,535)	(4,609)	(840)	(921)
Comprehensive (loss) income	(3,083)	(4,951)	(1,420)	(959)
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Brown Shoe Company, Inc.	(3,083)	(4,951)	(1,420)	(959)
Guarantors [Member]
Net sales	438,617	448,767	876,377	883,379
Cost of goods sold	247,914	258,419	497,508	497,043
Gross profit	190,703	190,348	378,869	386,336
Selling and administrative expenses	172,585	184,810	340,853	364,982
Restructuring and other special charges, net	2,879		10,672
Equity in (earnings) loss of subsidiaries	(6,601)	(4,779)	(2,841)	(2,990)
Operating earnings (loss)	21,840	10,317	30,185	24,344
Interest expense		(10)	(1)	(11)
Interest income	63	44	124	99
Intercompany interest income (expense)	(3,227)	(4,137)	(6,741)	(8,521)
Loss before income taxes from continuing operations	18,676	6,214	23,567	15,911
Income tax benefit (provision)	(4,776)	(1,024)	(8,746)	(5,284)
Net loss from continuing operations		5,190		10,627
Earnings from operations of subsidiary, net of tax		683		976
Net earnings from discontinued operations		683		976
Net loss	13,900	5,873	14,821	11,603
Net loss attributable to Brown Shoe Company, Inc.	13,900	5,873	14,821	11,603
Comprehensive (loss) income	12,969	5,754	14,519	15,522
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Brown Shoe Company, Inc.	12,969	5,754	14,519	15,522
Non-Guarantors [Member]
Net sales	47,146	62,178	90,968	111,247
Cost of goods sold	38,133	52,908	75,914	94,158
Gross profit	9,013	9,270	15,054	17,089
Selling and administrative expenses	2,040	4,908	11,717	15,195
Operating earnings (loss)	6,973	4,362	3,337	1,894
Interest expense		7		(1)
Interest income	14	21	35	51
Intercompany interest income (expense)	107	103	213	267
Loss before income taxes from continuing operations	7,094	4,493	3,585	2,211
Income tax benefit (provision)	(672)	127	(990)	573
Net loss from continuing operations		4,620		2,784
Net loss	6,422	4,620	2,595	2,784
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(179)	(159)	(246)	(206)
Net loss attributable to Brown Shoe Company, Inc.	6,601	4,779	2,841	2,990
Comprehensive (loss) income	6,427	4,715	2,599	592
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(185)	(145)	(250)	(184)
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Brown Shoe Company, Inc.	6,612	4,860	2,849	776
Eliminations [Member]
Net sales	(52,899)	(52,620)	(98,795)	(85,946)
Cost of goods sold	(52,899)	(52,620)	(98,795)	(85,946)
Equity in (earnings) loss of subsidiaries	20,501	10,652	17,662	14,593
Operating earnings (loss)	(20,501)	(10,652)	(17,662)	(14,593)
Loss before income taxes from continuing operations	(20,501)	(10,652)	(17,662)	(14,593)
Net loss from continuing operations		(10,652)		(14,593)
Net loss	(20,501)	(10,652)	(17,662)	(14,593)
Net loss attributable to Brown Shoe Company, Inc.	(20,501)	(10,652)	(17,662)	(14,593)
Comprehensive (loss) income	(20,501)	(10,652)	(17,662)	(14,593)
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Brown Shoe Company, Inc.	$ (20,501)	$ (10,652)	$ (17,662)	$ (14,593)