Document And Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 27, 2012	Nov. 23, 2012
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Oct. 27, 2012
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Entity Registrant Name	BROWN SHOE CO INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000014707
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--02-02
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		42,892,828