Document And Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	May 04, 2013	May 31, 2013
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	May 04, 2013
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Entity Registrant Name	BROWN SHOE CO INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000014707
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--02-01
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		43,150,248