Document And Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Nov. 01, 2014	Nov. 28, 2014
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	BROWN SHOE CO INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000014707
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--01-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Nov. 01, 2014
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		43,760,637