Consolidated Statements Of Shareholders' Equity (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Total Brown Shoe Company, Inc. Shareholders' Equity [Member]	Non-controlling Interests [Member]	Total
Beginning Balance at Jan. 29, 2011	$ 439	$ 134,270	$ 6,141	$ 274,230	$ 415,080	$ 829	$ 415,909
Beginning 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 gain (loss) on derivative financial instruments, net of tax			387		387		387
Pension and other postretirement benefits adjustments, net of tax			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 under employee and director benefit and restricted stock plans	6	425			431		431
Stock issued under employee and director benefit and restricted stock plans, shares	559,401
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 gain (loss) on derivative financial instruments, net of tax			(155)		(155)		(155)
Pension and other postretirement benefits adjustments, net of tax			(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
Net earnings				38,073	38,073	(177)	37,896
Foreign currency translation adjustment			(4,556)		(4,556)	18	(4,538)
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative financial instruments, net of tax			819		819		819
Pension and other postretirement benefits adjustments, net of tax			19,529		19,529		19,529
Comprehensive income					53,865	(159)	53,706
Dividends ($0.28 per share)				(12,105)	(12,105)		(12,105)
Contributions by noncontrolling interests						50	50
Stock issued under employee and director benefit and restricted stock plans	5	799			804		804
Stock issued under employee and director benefit and restricted stock plans, shares	481,916
Tax benefit related to share-based plans		3,439			3,439		3,439
Share-based compensation expense		5,567			5,567		5,567
Ending Blance at Feb. 01, 2014	$ 434	$ 131,398	$ 16,676	$ 328,191	$ 476,699	$ 663	$ 477,362
Ending Balance, shares at Feb. 01, 2014	43,378,279