Earnings (Loss) Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	May 03, 2014	May 04, 2013
Earnings (Loss) Per Share [Abstract]
Net earnings from continuing operations	$ 15,476	$ 7,359
Net (earnings) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(47)	70
Net earnings allocated to participating securities	(592)
Net earnings from continuing operations	14,837	7,429
Net loss from discontinued operations		(18,191)
Net earnings allocated to participating securities
Net loss from discontinued operations		(18,191)
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Brown Shoe Company, Inc. after allocation of earnings to participating securities	$ 14,837	$ (10,762)
Denominator for basic continuing and discontinued earnings per common share attributable to Brown Shoe Company, Inc. shareholders	41,887,000	41,070,000
Dilutive effect of share-based awards for continuing operations and discontinued operations	229,000	198,000
Denominator for diluted continuing and discontinued earnings per common share attributable to Brown Shoe Company, Inc. shareholders	42,116,000	41,268,000
Basic earnings (loss) per common share: From continuing operations	$ 0.35	$ 0.18
Basic earnings (loss) per common share: From discontinued operations		$ (0.44)
Basic earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Brown Shoe Company, Inc. shareholders	$ 0.35	$ (0.26)
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share: From continuing operations	$ 0.35	$ 0.18
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share: From discontinued operations		$ (0.44)
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Brown Shoe Company, Inc. shareholders	$ 0.35	$ (0.26)
Options to purchase common stock, not included in computation of diluted earnings per common share	74,997	432,466