Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (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
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
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
Gross profit	139,753	135,325	125,370	96,587	98,609	91,900	98,214	81,486	497,035	370,209	380,332
Net earnings	43,531	41,765	34,546	24,341	32,896	28,773	33,153	23,528	144,183	118,350	123,340
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 per common share attributable to CLARCOR Inc. - Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.87	$ 0.83	$ 0.68	$ 0.48	$ 0.65	$ 0.57	$ 0.66	$ 0.47	$ 2.86	$ 2.36	$ 2.45
Net earnings per common share attributable to CLARCOR Inc. - Diluted (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
Cash dividends paid per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.20	$ 0.17	$ 0.17	$ 0.17	$ 0.17	$ 0.135	$ 0.135	$ 0.135	$ 0.7100	$ 0.575	$ 0.495