Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 1,334,951us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet	$ 1,314,223us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet	$ 1,227,072us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet
Cost of sales	865,951us-gaap_CostOfGoodsSold	831,847us-gaap_CostOfGoodsSold	771,370us-gaap_CostOfGoodsSold
Gross profit	469,000us-gaap_GrossProfit	482,376us-gaap_GrossProfit	455,702us-gaap_GrossProfit
Commission and licensing fee income – net	13,723shoo_CommissionAndLicensingFeeIncomeNet	15,632shoo_CommissionAndLicensingFeeIncomeNet	15,395shoo_CommissionAndLicensingFeeIncomeNet
Operating expenses	(315,081)us-gaap_OperatingExpenses	(295,223)us-gaap_OperatingExpenses	(283,689)us-gaap_OperatingExpenses
Provision for litigation	0	983	(8,432)
Income from operations	167,642us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss	203,768us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss	178,976us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
Interest income	3,285us-gaap_InterestIncomeExpenseNet	4,228us-gaap_InterestIncomeExpenseNet	3,067us-gaap_InterestIncomeExpenseNet
Interest Expense, Other	(211)us-gaap_InterestExpenseOther	(128)us-gaap_InterestExpenseOther	(49)us-gaap_InterestExpenseOther
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	677us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense	1,083us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense	2,193us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense
Income before provision for income taxes	171,393	208,951	184,187
Provision for income taxes	58,764us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	75,666us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	64,623us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
Net income	112,629us-gaap_ProfitLoss	133,285us-gaap_ProfitLoss	119,564us-gaap_ProfitLoss
Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interests	(749)	(1,278)	62
Net income attributable to Steven Madden, Ltd.	$ 111,880us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 132,007us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 119,626us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
Basic net income per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.82us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic	$ 2.04us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic	$ 1.85us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic
Diluted net income per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.76us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted	$ 1.98us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted	$ 1.81us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	61,451	64,583	64,529
Effect of dilutive securities – options/restricted stock (in shares)	2,225	2,253	1,726
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	63,676	66,836	66,255

Income recognized during the period net of any related costs for commission fees and licensing income. Commission fees are earned by the entity when it acts as an agent in the buying of goods. Licensing fees are paid to the entity (licensor) by another party for the right to use, but not own, certain of the entity's intangible assets. Licensing arrangements include but are not limited to, rights to use a patent, copyright, technology, manufacturing process or trademark.

No definition available.