<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-23
<SEQUENCE>3
<FILENAME>s8exh23.txt
<DESCRIPTION>EXHIBIT 23.1 - CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
<TEXT>


                                                     EXHIBIT 23.1
                                                     ------------

                 Consent of Independent Auditors

We  consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration
Statement on Form S-8 pertaining to the Brown Shoe Company,  Inc.
401(k)  Savings Plan of our report dated February 28, 2001,  with
respect  to  the consolidated financial statements of Brown  Shoe
Company,  Inc.  incorporated by reference in  its  Annual  Report
(Form  10-K) for the year ended February 3, 2001 and the  related
financial  statement schedule included therein,  filed  with  the
Securities and Exchange Commission.



                                /s/  ERNST & YOUNG LLP

St. Louis, Missouri
July 25, 2001

</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
