Consolidated Statements Of Earnings (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 02, 2013	Jan. 28, 2012	Jan. 29, 2011
Consolidated Statements Of Earnings [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 2,598,065	$ 2,582,824	$ 2,504,091
Cost of goods sold	1,587,706	1,586,184	1,500,537
Gross profit	1,010,359	996,640	1,003,554
Selling and administrative expenses	918,957	937,419	922,976
Restructuring and other special charges, net	24,018	23,671	7,914
Impairment of intangible assets	5,777
Operating earnings	61,607	35,550	72,664
Interest expense	(23,382)	(26,141)	(19,647)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt		(1,003)
Interest income	322	644	203
Earnings before income taxes from continuing operations	38,547	9,050	53,220
Income tax provision	(11,343)	(326)	(16,160)
Net earnings from continuing operations	27,204	8,724	37,060
Discontinued operations:
Earnings from operations of subsidiary, net of tax of $1,312 in 2011		1,701
Gain on sale of subsidiary, net of tax of $6,670 in 2011		13,965
Net earnings from discontinued operations		15,666
Net earnings	27,204	24,390	37,060
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(287)	(199)	(173)
Net earnings attributable to Brown Shoe Company, Inc.	$ 27,491	$ 24,589	$ 37,233
Basic earnings per common share:
From continuing operations	$ 0.64	$ 0.20	$ 0.85
From discontinued operations		$ 0.37
Basic earnings per common share attributable to Brown Shoe Company, Inc. shareholders	$ 0.64	$ 0.57	$ 0.85
Diluted earnings per common share:
From continuing operations	$ 0.64	$ 0.20	$ 0.85
From discontinued operations		$ 0.36
Diluted earnings per common share attributable to Brown Shoe Company, Inc. shareholders	$ 0.64	$ 0.56	$ 0.85