Financial Information for the Company and its Subsidiaries (Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
 3 Months Ended
Apr. 29, 2017
Apr. 30, 2016
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]    
Net sales $ 631,509 $ 584,733
Cost of goods sold 360,601 336,940
Gross profit 270,908 247,793
Selling and administrative expenses 244,075 219,050
Restructuring and other special charges, net 1,108 0
Operating earnings (loss) 25,725 28,743
Interest expense (5,044) (3,610)
Interest income 235 247
Earnings before income taxes 20,916 25,380
Income tax provision (6,032) (7,502)
Net earnings 14,884 17,878
Less: Net (loss) earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests (18) 96
Net earnings attributable to Caleres, Inc. 14,902 17,782
Comprehensive income 15,540 19,688
Less: Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests (23) 110
Comprehensive income attributable to Caleres, Inc. 15,563 19,578
Parent [Member]    
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]    
Net sales 194,440 187,187
Cost of goods sold 132,851 129,909
Gross profit 61,589 57,278
Selling and administrative expenses 52,424 49,542
Restructuring and other special charges, net 1,108  
Operating earnings (loss) 8,057 7,736
Interest expense (5,035) (3,608)
Interest income 88 157
Intercompany interest income (expense) 2,083 2,254
Earnings before income taxes 5,193 6,539
Income tax provision (1,087) (866)
Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries, net of tax 10,796 12,109
Net earnings 14,902 17,782
Net earnings attributable to Caleres, Inc. 14,902 17,782
Comprehensive income 15,563 19,578
Comprehensive income attributable to Caleres, Inc. 15,563 19,578
Guarantors [Member]    
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]    
Net sales 427,539 383,046
Cost of goods sold 231,786 204,627
Gross profit 195,753 178,419
Selling and administrative expenses 182,347 157,103
Restructuring and other special charges, net 0  
Operating earnings (loss) 13,406 21,316
Interest expense (9) (2)
Intercompany interest income (expense) (2,324) (2,301)
Earnings before income taxes 11,073 19,013
Income tax provision (3,875) (6,304)
Net earnings 7,198 12,709
Net earnings attributable to Caleres, Inc. 7,198 12,709
Comprehensive income 7,198 12,709
Comprehensive income attributable to Caleres, Inc. 7,198 12,709
Non-Guarantors [Member]    
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]    
Net sales 38,045 38,796
Cost of goods sold 18,530 22,894
Gross profit 19,515 15,902
Selling and administrative expenses 15,253 16,211
Restructuring and other special charges, net 0  
Operating earnings (loss) 4,262 (309)
Interest income 147 90
Intercompany interest income (expense) 241 47
Earnings before income taxes 4,650 (172)
Income tax provision (1,070) (332)
Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries, net of tax (1,048) (537)
Net earnings 2,532 (1,041)
Less: Net (loss) earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests (18) 96
Net earnings attributable to Caleres, Inc. 2,550 (1,137)
Comprehensive income 2,453 228
Less: Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests (23) 110
Comprehensive income attributable to Caleres, Inc. 2,476 118
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]    
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]    
Net sales (28,515) (24,296)
Cost of goods sold (22,566) (20,490)
Gross profit (5,949) (3,806)
Selling and administrative expenses (5,949) (3,806)
Restructuring and other special charges, net 0  
Interest expense 0  
Intercompany interest income (expense) 0  
Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries, net of tax (9,748) (11,572)
Net earnings (9,748) (11,572)
Net earnings attributable to Caleres, Inc. (9,748) (11,572)
Comprehensive income (9,674) (12,827)
Comprehensive income attributable to Caleres, Inc. $ (9,674) $ (12,827)