Business Acquisitions, Investments and Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests (Pro Forma Results) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Nov. 29, 2014	Aug. 30, 2014	May 31, 2014	Mar. 01, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013	Jun. 01, 2013	Mar. 02, 2013	Nov. 29, 2014		Nov. 30, 2013		Dec. 01, 2012
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 413,375	$ 400,152	$ 386,642	$ 312,685	$ 297,790	$ 289,126	$ 287,583	$ 256,271	$ 1,512,854		$ 1,130,770		$ 1,121,765
Net sales, pro forma									1,575,113		1,459,060
Operating profit	139,753	135,325	125,370	96,587	98,609	91,900	98,214	81,486	497,035		370,209		380,332
Operating profit, pro forma									236,919		202,493
Net earnings attributable to CLARCOR Inc.	43,508	41,703	34,552	24,321	32,856	28,707	33,051	23,462	144,084		118,076		122,986
Net earnings, pro forma									161,120		133,568
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.86	$ 0.82	$ 0.68	$ 0.48	$ 0.65	$ 0.57	$ 0.66	$ 0.47	$ 2.83		$ 2.34		$ 2.42
Diluted earnings per share, pro forma (in dollars per share)									$ 3.17		$ 2.64
Engine Mobile Filtration [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Net sales attributable to CLARCOR									46,837		105,744
Operating profit attributable to CLARCOR									17,677	[1]	24,830	[2]
Net earnings attributable to CLARCOR									10,485		13,789
Diluted earnings per share, attributable to CLARCOR (in dollars per share)									$ 0.21		$ 0.27
Transaction costs removal, amount									3,035		3,035
Cost of inventory step up									1,368		1,368
Industrial Environmental Filtration [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Net sales attributable to CLARCOR									15,422		222,546
Operating profit attributable to CLARCOR									8,814	[3]	3,047	[4]
Net earnings attributable to CLARCOR									6,551		1,703
Diluted earnings per share, attributable to CLARCOR (in dollars per share)									$ 0.13		$ 0.03
Transaction costs removal, amount									2,089		2,089
Cost of inventory step up									4,342		4,342
As Reported [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Net sales									1,512,854		1,130,770
Operating profit									210,428		174,616
Net earnings attributable to CLARCOR Inc.									$ 144,084		$ 118,076
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)									$ 2.83		$ 2.34

[1] Includes adjustments to remove transaction costs of $3,035 and cost of sales related to the step-up of inventory to its estimated acquisition-date fair value of $1,368, which have been pushed back to the twelve months ended November 30, 2013 for pro forma presentation. Also includes adjustments to intangible asset amortization, depreciation expense and interest expense.

[2] Includes adjustments to push back transaction costs of $3,035 and cost of sales related to the step-up of inventory to its estimated acquisition-date fair value of $1,368. Also includes adjustments to intangible asset amortization, depreciation expense and interest expense.

[3] Includes adjustments to remove transaction costs of $2,089 and cost of sales related to the step-up of inventory to its estimated acquisition-date fair value of $4,342, which have been pushed back to the twelve months ended November 30, 2013 for pro forma presentation. Also includes adjustments to intangible asset amortization, depreciation expense and interest expense.

[4] Includes adjustments to push back transaction costs of $2,089 and cost of sales related to the step-up of inventory to its estimated acquisition-date fair value of $4,342. Also includes adjustments to intangible asset amortization, depreciation expense and interest expense.