Exhibit 5.1


August 5, 1998

Brown Group, Inc.
8300 Maryland Avenue
St. Louis, Missouri  63105

Ladies and Gentlemen:

	  I am Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
of Brown Group, Inc. (the "Company") and, in such capacity am familiar
with  the Registration Statement on Form S-8 to which this opinion  is
filed  as  an  exhibit (the "Registration Statement") which  registers
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, 1,575,000 shares of  the
Company's  Common  Stock,  $3.75 par value per  share  (the  "Shares")
including  1,575,000  Common  Stock  Purchase  Rights,  which  may  be
purchased pursuant to the Company's Stock Option and Restricted  Stock
Plan  of  1994  (the "1994 Plan") and the Company's Stock  Option  and
Restricted Stock Plan of 1998 (the "1998 Plan").

	  In  rendering this opinion, I have examined such  corporate
records  and  other documents and made such legal investigation  as  I
have deemed appropriate.

	  Based  on  the  foregoing, I am of the opinion  that,  when
issued in accordance with the provisions of the 1994 Plan and the 1998
Plan, the Shares (including the Common Stock Purchase Rights) will  be
legally issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

	  I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit
to the Registration Statement and with such agencies of such states as
you  deem necessary in the course of complying with the laws  of  such
states regarding the offering and sale of the Shares.  In giving  this
consent,  I  do  not admit that I am in the category of  person  whose
consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules
and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

			      Very truly yours,


			      /s/ Robert D. Pickle
			      Vice President - General Counsel
			      Corporate Secretary