Consolidated Statements Of Shareholders' Equity (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Brown Shoe Company, Inc. Shareholders' Equity [Member]	Non-controlling Interests [Member]	Total
Beginning Balance at Jan. 30, 2010	$ 429	$ 152,314	$ 177	$ 249,251	$ 402,171	$ 9,056	$ 411,227
Beginning Balance, shares at Jan. 30, 2010	42,891,905
Net earnings				37,233	37,233	(173)	37,060
Foreign currency translation adjustment			2,127		2,127	23	2,150
Unrealized gains (loss) on derivative financial instruments, net of tax provision			404		404		404
Pension and other postretirement benefits adjustments, net of tax provision			3,433		3,433		3,433
Comprehensive income					43,197	(150)	43,047
Dividends ($0.28 per share)				(12,254)	(12,254)		(12,254)
Contributions by noncontrolling interests						527	527
Stock issued in connection with acquisition of the noncontrolling interest	5	7,304			7,309		7,309
Stock issued in connection with acquisition of the noncontrolling interest, shares	473,081
Distribution to noncontrolling interest		(31,397)			(31,397)	(8,604)	(40,001)
Stock issued under employee and director benefit and restricted stock plans	5	(8)			(3)		(3)
Stock issued under employee and director benefit and restricted stock plans, shares	546,300
Tax deficiency related to share-based plans		(87)			(87)		(87)
Share-based compensation expense		6,144			6,144		6,144
Ending Blance at Jan. 29, 2011	439	134,270	6,141	274,230	415,080	829	415,909
Ending Balance, shares at Jan. 29, 2011	43,911,286
Net earnings				24,589	24,589	(199)	24,390
Foreign currency translation adjustment			168		168	39	207
Unrealized gains (loss) on derivative financial instruments, net of tax provision			387		387		387
Pension and other postretirement benefits adjustments, net of tax provision			2,941		2,941		2,941
Comprehensive income					28,085	(160)	27,925
Dividends ($0.28 per share)				(12,076)	(12,076)		(12,076)
Contributions by noncontrolling interests						378	378
Stock issued in connection with acquisition of the noncontrolling interest, shares	559,401
Stock issued under employee and director benefit and restricted stock plans	6	425			431		431
Acquisition of treasury stock	(25)	(25,459)			(25,484)		(25,484)
Acquisition of treasury stock, shares	(2,500,000)						(2,500,000)
Tax benefit related to share-based plans		1,000			1,000		1,000
Share-based compensation expense		5,633			5,633		5,633
Ending Blance at Jan. 28, 2012	420	115,869	9,637	286,743	412,669	1,047	413,716
Ending Balance, shares at Jan. 28, 2012	41,970,687
Net earnings				27,491	27,491	(287)	27,204
Foreign currency translation adjustment			463		463	12	475
Unrealized gains (loss) on derivative financial instruments, net of tax provision			(155)		(155)		(155)
Pension and other postretirement benefits adjustments, net of tax provision			(9,061)		(9,061)		(9,061)
Comprehensive income					18,738	(275)	18,463
Dividends ($0.28 per share)				(12,011)	(12,011)		(12,011)
Stock issued under employee and director benefit and restricted stock plans	9	(1,709)			(1,700)		(1,700)
Stock issued under employee and director benefit and restricted stock plans, shares	925,676
Tax benefit related to share-based plans		944			944		944
Share-based compensation expense		6,489			6,489		6,489
Ending Blance at Feb. 02, 2013	$ 429	$ 121,593	$ 884	$ 302,223	$ 425,129	$ 772	$ 425,901
Ending Balance, shares at Feb. 02, 2013	42,896,363