Consolidated Statements of Earnings - 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
Income Statement [Abstract]
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
Basic earnings per common share:
Basic earnings per common share attributable to Caleres, Inc. shareholders	$ (0.16)	$ 0.81	$ 0.46	$ 0.41	$ 0.26	$ 0.78	$ 0.38	$ 0.44	$ 1.52	$ 1.86	$ 1.90
Diluted earnings per common share:
Diluted earnings per common share attributable to Caleres, Inc. shareholders	$ (0.16)	$ 0.81	$ 0.46	$ 0.41	$ 0.26	$ 0.78	$ 0.38	$ 0.44	$ 1.52	$ 1.85	$ 1.89