Note 4 - Earnings (Loss) Per Share - Schedule of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Common Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	May 02, 2020	May 04, 2019
Net (loss) earnings	$ (346,172)	$ 9,085
Net loss (earnings) attributable to noncontrolling interests	334	(2)
Net earnings allocated to participating securities	0	(283)
Net (loss) earnings attributable to Caleres, Inc. after allocation of earnings to participating securities	$ (345,838)	$ 8,800
Denominator for basic (loss) earnings per common share attributable to Caleres, Inc. shareholders (in shares)	38,649	40,741
Dilutive effect of share-based awards (in shares)	0	60
Denominator for diluted (loss) earnings per common share attributable to Caleres, Inc. shareholders (in shares)	38,649	40,801
Basic (loss) earnings per common share attributable to Caleres, Inc. shareholders (in dollars per share)	$ (8.95)	$ 0.22
Diluted (loss) earnings per common share attributable to Caleres, Inc. shareholders (in dollars per share)	$ (8.95)	$ 0.22