Earnings (Loss) Per Share Earnings (Loss) Per Share (Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
	Feb. 02, 2019		Nov. 03, 2018		Aug. 04, 2018		May 05, 2018		Feb. 03, 2018		Oct. 28, 2017		Jul. 29, 2017		Apr. 29, 2017		Feb. 02, 2019	Feb. 03, 2018	Jan. 28, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net (loss) earnings	$ (75,427)	[1]	$ 29,155	[1]	$ 23,611	[1]	$ 17,180	[1]	$ 20,301	[2]	$ 34,373	[2]	$ 17,674	[2]	$ 14,884	[2]	$ (5,481)	$ 87,231	$ 66,086
NUMERATOR
Net (loss) earnings																		87,231	66,086
Net loss (earnings) attributable to noncontrolling interests																	40	(31)	(428)
Net earnings allocated to participating securities																	0	(2,384)	(1,750)
Net (loss) earnings attributable to Caleres, Inc. after allocation of earnings to participating securities																	$ (5,441)	$ 84,816	$ 63,908
DENOMINATOR
Denominator for basic (loss) earnings per common share attributable to Caleres, Inc. shareholders																	41,756	41,801	42,026
Dilutive effect of share-based awards																	0	179	155
Denominator for diluted (loss) earnings per common share attributable to Caleres, Inc. shareholders																	41,756	41,980	42,181
Basic earnings per common share:
Basic (loss) earnings per common share attributable to Caleres, Inc. shareholders	$ (1.83)	[3]	$ 0.68	[3]	$ 0.55	[3]	$ 0.40	[3]	$ 0.47	[4]	$ 0.80	[4]	$ 0.41	[4]	$ 0.35	[4]	$ (0.13)	$ 2.03	$ 1.52
Earnings Per Share, Diluted [Abstract]
Diluted (loss) earnings per common share attributable to Caleres, Inc. shareholders	$ (1.83)	[3]	$ 0.67	[3]	$ 0.55	[3]	$ 0.40	[3]	$ 0.47	[4]	$ 0.80	[4]	$ 0.41	[4]	$ 0.35	[4]	$ (0.13)	$ 2.02	$ 1.52

[1] The fourth quarter of 2018 reflects impairment of goodwill and intangible assets of $83.0 million on an after-tax basis, as further described in Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements, the impact of amortization of the inventory fair value adjustments required for purchase accounting of $6.1 million on an after-tax basis, as further described in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, and several restructuring and other charges totaling $4.7 million, on an after-tax basis, as further described in Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements.

[2] The first and second quarters of 2017 reflect the impact of amortization of the inventory fair value adjustment required for purchase accounting of $1.9 million and $1.1 million, respectively, on an after-tax basis, as further described in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements and several restructuring and other charges totaling$0.7 million and $1.9 million, respectively, on an after-tax basis, as further described in Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements. The fourth quarter of 2017 reflects restructuring charges totaling $0.6 million, on an after-tax basis, as further described in Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements and the benefit of income tax reform of $0.3 million, as further described in Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements.

[3] EPS for the quarters may not sum to the annual amount as each period is computed on a discrete period basis.

[4] EPS for the quarters may not sum to the annual amount as each period is computed on a discrete period basis.