Financial Information for the Company and its Subsidiaries (Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 29, 2017	Apr. 30, 2016
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 631,509	$ 584,733
Cost of goods sold	360,601	336,940
Gross profit	270,908	247,793
Selling and administrative expenses	244,075	219,050
Restructuring and other special charges, net	1,108	0
Operating earnings (loss)	25,725	28,743
Interest expense	(5,044)	(3,610)
Interest income	235	247
Earnings before income taxes	20,916	25,380
Income tax provision	(6,032)	(7,502)
Net earnings	14,884	17,878
Less: Net (loss) earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	(18)	96
Net earnings attributable to Caleres, Inc.	14,902	17,782
Comprehensive income	15,540	19,688
Less: Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(23)	110
Comprehensive income attributable to Caleres, Inc.	15,563	19,578
Parent [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	194,440	187,187
Cost of goods sold	132,851	129,909
Gross profit	61,589	57,278
Selling and administrative expenses	52,424	49,542
Restructuring and other special charges, net	1,108
Operating earnings (loss)	8,057	7,736
Interest expense	(5,035)	(3,608)
Interest income	88	157
Intercompany interest income (expense)	2,083	2,254
Earnings before income taxes	5,193	6,539
Income tax provision	(1,087)	(866)
Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries, net of tax	10,796	12,109
Net earnings	14,902	17,782
Net earnings attributable to Caleres, Inc.	14,902	17,782
Comprehensive income	15,563	19,578
Comprehensive income attributable to Caleres, Inc.	15,563	19,578
Guarantors [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	427,539	383,046
Cost of goods sold	231,786	204,627
Gross profit	195,753	178,419
Selling and administrative expenses	182,347	157,103
Restructuring and other special charges, net	0
Operating earnings (loss)	13,406	21,316
Interest expense	(9)	(2)
Intercompany interest income (expense)	(2,324)	(2,301)
Earnings before income taxes	11,073	19,013
Income tax provision	(3,875)	(6,304)
Net earnings	7,198	12,709
Net earnings attributable to Caleres, Inc.	7,198	12,709
Comprehensive income	7,198	12,709
Comprehensive income attributable to Caleres, Inc.	7,198	12,709
Non-Guarantors [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	38,045	38,796
Cost of goods sold	18,530	22,894
Gross profit	19,515	15,902
Selling and administrative expenses	15,253	16,211
Restructuring and other special charges, net	0
Operating earnings (loss)	4,262	(309)
Interest income	147	90
Intercompany interest income (expense)	241	47
Earnings before income taxes	4,650	(172)
Income tax provision	(1,070)	(332)
Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries, net of tax	(1,048)	(537)
Net earnings	2,532	(1,041)
Less: Net (loss) earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	(18)	96
Net earnings attributable to Caleres, Inc.	2,550	(1,137)
Comprehensive income	2,453	228
Less: Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(23)	110
Comprehensive income attributable to Caleres, Inc.	2,476	118
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	(28,515)	(24,296)
Cost of goods sold	(22,566)	(20,490)
Gross profit	(5,949)	(3,806)
Selling and administrative expenses	(5,949)	(3,806)
Restructuring and other special charges, net	0
Interest expense	0
Intercompany interest income (expense)	0
Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries, net of tax	(9,748)	(11,572)
Net earnings	(9,748)	(11,572)
Net earnings attributable to Caleres, Inc.	(9,748)	(11,572)
Comprehensive income	(9,674)	(12,827)
Comprehensive income attributable to Caleres, Inc.	$ (9,674)	$ (12,827)