Note 8 - Business Segment Information - Key Financial Measures (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Feb. 01, 2020	Nov. 02, 2019	Aug. 03, 2019	May 04, 2019	Feb. 02, 2019	Nov. 03, 2018	Aug. 04, 2018	May 05, 2018	Feb. 01, 2020	Feb. 02, 2019	Feb. 03, 2018
Net sales	$ 698,948	$ 792,375	$ 752,485	$ 677,754	$ 720,263	$ 775,829	$ 706,612	$ 632,142	$ 2,921,562	$ 2,834,846	$ 2,785,584
Intersegment sales									(72,955)	85,513	85,124
Depreciation and amortization									65,562	62,697	64,070
Operating earnings									103,813	401	127,683
Segment assets	2,431,707				1,838,568				2,431,707	1,838,568	1,489,415
Purchases of property and equipment									44,533	62,483	44,720
Capitalized software	5,619				4,416				5,619	4,416	6,458
Famous Footwear [Member]
Net sales									1,588,057	1,606,808	1,637,627
Intersegment sales									0	0	0
Depreciation and amortization									26,706	28,816	29,990
Operating earnings									76,896	85,268	92,230
Segment assets	891,042				502,507				891,042	502,507	500,862
Purchases of property and equipment									16,129	17,552	22,920
Capitalized software	16				351				16	351	483
Brand Portfolio [Member]
Net sales									1,406,460	1,313,551	1,233,081
Intersegment sales									(72,955)	(85,513)	(85,124)
Depreciation and amortization									29,875	20,768	16,873
Operating earnings									58,153	(40,799)	80,160
Segment assets	1,383,500				1,211,008				1,383,500	1,211,008	814,508
Purchases of property and equipment									21,973	41,993	15,865
Capitalized software	1,544				814				1,544	814	232
Eliminations and Other [Member]
Net sales									(72,955)	(85,513)	(85,124)
Intersegment sales									0	0	0
Depreciation and amortization									8,981	13,113	17,207
Operating earnings									(31,236)	(44,068)	(44,707)
Segment assets	157,165				125,053				157,165	125,053	174,045
Purchases of property and equipment									6,431	2,938	5,935
Capitalized software	$ 4,059				$ 3,251				$ 4,059	$ 3,251	$ 5,743