Financial Information for the Company and its Subsidiaries (Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss)) (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 earnings	$ (6,196)	$ 34,726	$ 19,679	$ 17,878	$ 11,578	$ 33,992	$ 16,863	$ 19,391	$ 66,086	$ 81,824	$ 82,943
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Gain (Loss) Arising During Period, Net of Tax									1,045	(224)	(3,145)
Pension and other postretirement benefit adjustments									(24,728)	(8,589)	(10,349)
Derivative financial instruments									(934)	168	(514)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax									(24,617)	(8,645)	(14,008)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax											(14,008)
Comprehensive income									41,469	73,179	68,935
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interest									381	276	49
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Caleres, Inc.									41,088	72,903	68,886
Parent [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net earnings									65,658	81,479	82,850
Pension and other postretirement benefit adjustments									(24,790)	(8,838)	(10,003)
Derivative financial instruments									181	628	(1,250)
Other comprehensive loss from investment in subsidiaries									39	(366)	(2,711)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax									(24,570)	(8,576)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax											(13,964)
Comprehensive income									41,088	72,903	68,886
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Caleres, Inc.									41,088	72,903	68,886
Guarantors [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net earnings									34,073	53,955	53,797
Comprehensive income									34,073	53,955	53,797
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Caleres, Inc.									34,073	53,955	53,797
Non-Guarantors [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net earnings									25,035	38,280	43,562
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Gain (Loss) Arising During Period, Net of Tax									1,045	(224)	(3,145)
Pension and other postretirement benefit adjustments									62	249	(346)
Derivative financial instruments									(1,115)	(460)	736
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax									(8)	(435)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax											(2,755)
Comprehensive income									25,027	37,845	40,807
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interest									381	276	49
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Caleres, Inc.									24,646	37,569	40,758
Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net earnings									(58,680)	(91,890)	(97,266)
Other comprehensive loss from investment in subsidiaries									(39)	366	2,711
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax									(39)	366
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax											2,711
Comprehensive income									(58,719)	(91,524)	(94,555)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Caleres, Inc.									$ (58,719)	$ (91,524)	$ (94,555)