Shareholders' Equity And Share-Based Compensation (Schedule Of Changes In Shareholders' Equity And Noncontrolling Interests) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
May 04, 2013	Apr. 28, 2012
Equity at February 2, 2013	$ 425,901
Net loss	(10,832)	1,628
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(659)
Issuance of common stock under share-based plans, net	(2,070)	(2,148)
Share-based compensation expense	1,617	1,444
Equity at May 4, 2013	412,934	412,994
Brown Shoe Company, Inc. Shareholders' Equity [Member]
Equity at February 2, 2013	425,129
Net loss	(10,762)
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(659)
Dividends declared	(3,027)
Issuance of common stock under share-based plans, net	(2,070)
Tax benefit related to share-based plans	1,962
Share-based compensation expense	1,617
Equity at May 4, 2013	412,190
Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Equity at February 2, 2013	772
Net loss	(70)
Other comprehensive (loss) income	42
Dividends declared
Issuance of common stock under share-based plans, net
Tax benefit related to share-based plans
Share-based compensation expense
Equity at May 4, 2013	744
Total Equity [Member]
Equity at February 2, 2013	425,901
Net loss	(10,832)
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(617)
Dividends declared	(3,027)
Issuance of common stock under share-based plans, net	(2,070)
Tax benefit related to share-based plans	1,962
Share-based compensation expense	1,617
Equity at May 4, 2013	$ 412,934

Tax benefit associated with any equity-based compensation plan other than an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). The tax benefit results from the deduction by the entity on its tax return for an award of stock that exceeds the cumulative compensation cost for common stock or preferred stock recognized for financial reporting. Includes any resulting tax benefit that exceeds the previously recognized deferred tax asset (excess tax benefits).

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The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)

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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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- Definition

Amount of stockholders' equity (deficit), net of receivables from officers, directors, owners, and affiliates of the entity, attributable to both the parent and noncontrolling interests. Amount excludes temporary equity. Alternate caption for the concept is permanent equity.

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