Financial Information for the Company and its Subsidiaries (Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Earnings) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Jan. 28, 2017	Oct. 29, 2016	Jul. 30, 2016	Apr. 30, 2016	Jan. 30, 2016	Oct. 31, 2015	Aug. 01, 2015	May 02, 2015	Jan. 28, 2017	Jan. 30, 2016	Jan. 31, 2015
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 639,488	$ 732,230	$ 622,937	$ 584,733	$ 608,674	$ 728,639	$ 637,834	$ 602,283	$ 2,579,388	$ 2,577,430	$ 2,571,709
Cost of goods sold									1,517,397	1,529,627	1,531,609
Gross profit	260,872	293,771	259,555	247,793	248,048	288,434	262,795	248,526	1,061,991	1,047,803	1,040,100
Selling and administrative expenses									927,602	912,696	910,682
Restructuring and other special charges, net	20,200								23,404	0	3,484
Operating earnings									110,985	135,107	125,934
Interest expense									(15,111)	(16,589)	(20,445)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt									0	(10,651)	(420)
Interest income									1,380	899	379
Gain on sale of subsidiary									0	0	4,679
Earnings before income taxes									97,254	108,766	110,127
Income tax provision									(31,168)	(26,942)	(27,184)
Net earnings	(6,196)	34,726	19,679	17,878	11,578	33,992	16,863	19,391	66,086	81,824	82,943
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests									428	345	93
Net earnings attributable to Caleres, Inc.	$ (6,622)	$ 34,730	$ 19,768	$ 17,782	$ 11,410	$ 33,983	$ 16,825	$ 19,261	65,658	81,479	82,850
Parent [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales									825,654	819,148	788,708
Cost of goods sold									583,131	591,539	570,343
Gross profit									242,523	227,609	218,365
Selling and administrative expenses									212,156	235,210	231,141
Restructuring and other special charges, net									15,333		3,484
Operating earnings									15,034	(7,601)	(16,260)
Interest expense									(15,102)	(16,588)	(20,444)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt										(10,651)	(420)
Interest income									811	695	31
Intercompany interest income (expense)									8,888	14,363	12,115
Earnings before income taxes									9,631	(19,782)	(24,978)
Income tax provision									(5,075)	8,755	10,599
Equity in earnings loss from continuing operations of subsidiaries, net of tax									61,102	92,506	97,229
Net earnings									65,658	81,479	82,850
Net earnings attributable to Caleres, Inc.									65,658	81,479	82,850
Guarantors [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales									1,692,093	1,652,444	1,634,375
Cost of goods sold									938,169	905,412	899,968
Gross profit									753,924	747,032	734,407
Selling and administrative expenses									690,292	649,020	633,073
Restructuring and other special charges, net									433
Operating earnings									63,199	98,012	101,334
Interest expense									(9)	(1)	(1)
Intercompany interest income (expense)									(9,033)	(14,581)	(12,826)
Earnings before income taxes									54,157	83,430	88,507
Income tax provision									(20,084)	(29,475)	(34,710)
Net earnings									34,073	53,955	53,797
Net earnings attributable to Caleres, Inc.									34,073	53,955	53,797
Non-Guarantors [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales									227,557	268,779	329,765
Cost of goods sold									129,410	162,384	213,716
Gross profit									98,147	106,395	116,049
Selling and administrative expenses									57,757	61,699	75,189
Restructuring and other special charges, net									7,638
Operating earnings									32,752	44,696	40,860
Interest income									569	204	348
Intercompany interest income (expense)									145	218	711
Gain on sale of subsidiary											4,679
Earnings before income taxes									33,466	45,118	46,598
Income tax provision									(6,009)	(6,222)	(3,073)
Equity in earnings loss from continuing operations of subsidiaries, net of tax									(2,422)	(616)	37
Net earnings									25,035	38,280	43,562
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests									428	345	93
Net earnings attributable to Caleres, Inc.									24,607	37,935	43,469
Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales									(165,916)	(162,941)	(181,139)
Cost of goods sold									(133,313)	(129,708)	(152,418)
Gross profit									(32,603)	(33,233)	(28,721)
Selling and administrative expenses									(32,603)	(33,233)	(28,721)
Equity in earnings loss from continuing operations of subsidiaries, net of tax									(58,680)	(91,890)	(97,266)
Net earnings									(58,680)	(91,890)	(97,266)
Net earnings attributable to Caleres, Inc.									$ (58,680)	$ (91,890)	$ (97,266)