Business Acquisitions and Investments - Pro Forma (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 01, 2014	Mar. 02, 2013
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information, Nonrecurring Adjustment [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 312,685	$ 256,271
Gross profit	96,587	81,486
Net earnings attributable to CLARCOR Inc.	24,321	23,462
Net earnings per share attributable to CLARCOR Inc. - Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.48	$ 0.47
Air Filtrations Segment of General Electric [Member]
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information, Nonrecurring Adjustment [Line Items]
Net sales	312,685	256,271
Pro forma, net sales	328,112	307,335
Gross profit	31,266	33,815
Pro forma, gross profit	39,020	26,761
Net earnings attributable to CLARCOR Inc.	24,321	23,462
Pro forma, net earnings attributable to CLARCOR Inc.	$ 30,085	$ 18,157
Net earnings per share attributable to CLARCOR Inc. - Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.48	$ 0.47
Pro forma, diluted earnings per share(in dollars per share)	$ 0.59	$ 0.36