Financial Information For The Company And Its Subsidiaries (Schedule Of Condensed Consolidating Statements Of Comprehensive Income) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Feb. 01, 2014	Nov. 02, 2013	Aug. 03, 2013	May 04, 2013	Feb. 02, 2013	Oct. 27, 2012	Jul. 28, 2012	Apr. 28, 2012	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013	Jan. 28, 2012
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net earnings	$ 6,161	$ 27,284	$ 15,283	$ (10,832)	$ 4,003	$ 24,287	$ (2,714)	$ 1,628	$ 37,896	$ 27,204	$ 24,390
Foreign currency translation adjustment									(4,538)	475	207
Pension and other postretirement benefits adjustments, net of tax									19,529	(9,061)	2,941
Derivative financial instruments, net of tax									819	(155)	387
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax									15,810	(8,741)	3,535
Comprehensive income (loss)									53,706	18,463	27,925
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests									(109)	(275)	(160)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Brown Shoe Company, Inc.									53,815	18,738	28,085
Parent [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net earnings									38,073	27,491	24,589
Pension and other postretirement benefits adjustments, net of tax									19,114	(8,871)	3,358
Derivative financial instruments, net of tax									(55)	134	(14)
Other comprehensive income (loss) from investment in subsidiaries, net of tax									(3,317)	(16)	152
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax									15,742	(8,753)	3,496
Comprehensive income (loss)									53,815	18,738	28,085
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Brown Shoe Company, Inc.									53,815	18,738	28,085
Guarantors [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net earnings									77,472	65,160	49,662
Foreign currency translation adjustment									(4,421)	475	1,320
Pension and other postretirement benefits adjustments, net of tax									415	(190)	(417)
Derivative financial instruments, net of tax									874	(289)	401
Other comprehensive income (loss) from investment in subsidiaries, net of tax									(185)	(12)	(1,152)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax									(3,317)	(16)	152
Comprehensive income (loss)									74,155	65,144	49,814
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Brown Shoe Company, Inc.									74,155	65,144	49,814
Non-Guarantors [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net earnings									8,446	22,792	(14,812)
Foreign currency translation adjustment									(117)		(1,113)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax									(117)		(1,113)
Comprehensive income (loss)									8,329	22,792	(15,925)
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests									(109)	(275)	(160)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Brown Shoe Company, Inc.									8,438	23,067	(15,765)
Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net earnings									(86,095)	(88,239)	(35,049)
Other comprehensive income (loss) from investment in subsidiaries, net of tax									3,502	28	1,000
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax									3,502	28	1,000
Comprehensive income (loss)									(82,593)	(88,211)	(34,049)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Brown Shoe Company, Inc.									$ (82,593)	$ (88,211)	$ (34,049)