Earnings (Loss) Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Nov. 01, 2014	Nov. 02, 2013	Nov. 01, 2014	Nov. 02, 2013
NUMERATOR
Net earnings from continuing operations	$ 33,237	$ 27,051	$ 66,752	$ 48,031
Net (earnings) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(124)	30	(146)	174
Net earnings allocated to participating securities	(1,208)	(1,097)	(2,486)	(2,098)
Net earnings from continuing operations	31,905	25,984	64,120	46,107
Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations	0	233	0	(16,296)
Net (earnings) loss allocated to participating securities	0	(9)	0	712
Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations	0	224	0	(15,584)
Net earnings attributable to Brown Shoe Company, Inc. after allocation of earnings to participating securities	$ 31,905	$ 26,208	$ 64,120	$ 30,523
DENOMINATOR
Denominator for basic continuing and discontinued earnings per common share attributable to Brown Shoe Company, Inc. shareholders	42,144,000	41,447,000	42,035,000	41,288,000
Dilutive effect of share-based awards for continuing operations and discontinued operations	184,000	319,000	210,000	283,000
Denominator for diluted continuing and discontinued earnings per common share attributable to Brown Shoe Company, Inc. shareholders	42,328,000	41,766,000	42,245,000	41,571,000
Basic earnings (loss) per common share:
Basic earnings (loss) per common share: From continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.76	$ 0.63	$ 1.53	$ 1.12
Basic earnings (loss) per common share: From discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ (0.38)
Basic earnings per common share attributable to Brown Shoe Company, Inc. shareholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.76	$ 0.63	$ 1.53	$ 0.74
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share:
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share: From continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.75	$ 0.62	$ 1.52	$ 1.11
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share: From discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.00	$ 0.01	$ 0.00	$ (0.38)
Diluted earnings per common share attributable to Brown Shoe Company, Inc. shareholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.75	$ 0.63	$ 1.52	$ 0.73
Options to purchase common stock, not included in computation of diluted earnings per common share	64,497	86,247	64,497	214,403