Note 19 - 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
	Feb. 01, 2020	[1]	Nov. 02, 2019	[1]	Aug. 03, 2019	[1]	May 04, 2019	[1]	Feb. 02, 2019	[1]	Nov. 03, 2018	[1]	Aug. 04, 2018	[1]	May 05, 2018	[1]	Feb. 01, 2020	Feb. 02, 2019	Feb. 03, 2018
Net earnings (loss)	$ 9		$ 27,761		$ 25,227		$ 9,085		$ (75,427)		$ 29,155		$ 23,611		$ 17,180		$ 62,082	$ (5,481)	$ 87,231
Foreign currency translation adjustment																	(607)	(1,224)	1,116
Pension and other postretirement benefits adjustments																	(116)	(13,883)	18,794
Derivative financial instruments																	516	(1,375)	1,101
Other comprehensive loss from investment in subsidiaries																	0	0	0
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax																	(207)	(16,482)	21,011
Comprehensive income																	61,875	(21,963)	108,242
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests																	(702)	(91)	104
Comprehensive income attributable to Caleres, Inc.																	62,577	(21,872)	108,138
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Net earnings (loss)																	(72,796)	4,809	(99,924)
Foreign currency translation adjustment																	0	0	0
Pension and other postretirement benefits adjustments																	0	0	0
Derivative financial instruments																	0	0	0
Other comprehensive loss from investment in subsidiaries																	906	801	(544)
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax																	906	801	(544)
Comprehensive income																	(71,890)	5,610	(100,468)
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests																	0	0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to Caleres, Inc.																	(71,890)	5,610	(100,468)
Parent Company [Member]
Net earnings (loss)																	62,819	(5,441)	87,200
Foreign currency translation adjustment																	0	0	0
Pension and other postretirement benefits adjustments																	76	(13,663)	18,855
Derivative financial instruments																	588	(1,967)	1,539
Other comprehensive loss from investment in subsidiaries																	(906)	(801)	544
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax																	(242)	(16,431)	20,938
Comprehensive income																	62,577	(21,872)	108,138
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests																	0	0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to Caleres, Inc.																	62,577	(21,872)	108,138
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Net earnings (loss)																	27,747	31,269	64,126
Foreign currency translation adjustment																	0	0	0
Pension and other postretirement benefits adjustments																	(131)	0	0
Derivative financial instruments																	7	(38)	14
Other comprehensive loss from investment in subsidiaries																	0	0	0
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax																	(124)	(38)	14
Comprehensive income																	27,623	31,231	64,140
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests																	0	0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to Caleres, Inc.																	27,623	31,231	64,140
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Net earnings (loss)																	44,312	(36,118)	35,829
Foreign currency translation adjustment																	(607)	(1,224)	1,116
Pension and other postretirement benefits adjustments																	(61)	(220)	(61)
Derivative financial instruments																	(79)	630	(452)
Other comprehensive loss from investment in subsidiaries																	0	0	0
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax																	(747)	(814)	603
Comprehensive income																	43,565	(36,932)	36,432
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests																	(702)	(91)	104
Comprehensive income attributable to Caleres, Inc.																	$ 44,267	$ (36,841)	$ 36,328

[1] The fourth quarter of 2019 reflects expense containment initiatives of $11.2 million on an after-tax basis and costs associated with the repositioning of the Via Spiga brand of $1.2 million on an after-tax basis, both of which are further described in Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements, as well as the fair value adjustment to the Blowfish purchase obligation of $1.1 million on an after-tax basis, as further described in Note 2 and Note 15 to the consolidated financial statements.