(Loss) Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	May 04, 2013	Apr. 28, 2012
(Loss) Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net earnings from continuing operations	$ 7,359	$ 4,022
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	70	67
Net earnings allocated to participating securities		(155)
Net earnings from continuing operations	7,429	3,934
Net loss from discontinued operations	(18,191)	(2,394)
Net earnings allocated to participating securities
Net loss from discontinued operations	(18,191)	(2,394)
Net (loss) earnings attributable to Brown Shoe Company, Inc. after allocation of earnings to participating securities	$ (10,762)	$ 1,540
Denominator for basic continuing and discontinued earnings per common share attributable to Brown Shoe Company, Inc. shareholders	41,070,000	40,422,000
Dilutive effect of share-based awards for continuing operations and discontinued operations	198,000	322,000
Denominator for diluted continuing and discontinued earnings per common share attributable to Brown Shoe Company, Inc. shareholders	41,268,000	40,744,000
Basic earnings (loss) per common share: From continuing operations	$ 0.18	$ 0.10
Basic earnings (loss) per common share: From discontinued operations	$ (0.44)	$ (0.06)
Basic (loss) earnings per common share attributable to Brown Shoe Company, Inc. shareholders	$ (0.26)	$ 0.04
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share: From continuing operations	$ 0.18	$ 0.10
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share: From discontinued operations	$ (0.44)	$ (0.06)
Diluted (loss) earnings per common share attributable to Brown Shoe Company, Inc. shareholders	$ (0.26)	$ 0.04
Options to purchase common stock, not included in computation of diluted earnings per common share	432,466	1,345,256