Earnings Per Share and Stock Repurchase Activity - Reconciliation of Numerators and Denominators (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Aug. 27, 2016	Aug. 29, 2015	Aug. 27, 2016	Aug. 29, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Weighted average number of shares outstanding - Basic (in shares)	48,653,220	50,099,852	48,723,459	50,188,327
Dilutive effect of stock-based arrangements (in shares)	401,827	425,197	379,752	513,163
Weighted average number of shares outstanding - Diluted (in shares)	49,055,047	50,525,049	49,103,211	50,701,490
Net earnings attributable to CLARCOR Inc.	$ 35,749	$ 36,445	$ 110,266	$ 101,651
Net earnings per share attributable to CLARCOR Inc. - Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.73	$ 0.73	$ 2.26	$ 2.03
Net earnings per share attributable to CLARCOR Inc. - Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.73	$ 0.72	$ 2.25	$ 2.00

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The amount of net income (loss) for the period per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period.

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The amount of net income (loss) for the period available to each share of common stock or common unit outstanding during the reporting period and to each share or unit that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of common shares or units for all dilutive potential common shares or units outstanding during the reporting period.

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Additional shares included in the calculation of diluted EPS as a result of the potentially dilutive effect of share based payment arrangements using the treasury stock method.

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The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

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The average number of shares or units issued and outstanding that are used in calculating diluted EPS or earnings per unit (EPU), determined based on the timing of issuance of shares or units in the period.

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Number of [basic] shares or units, after adjustment for contingently issuable shares or units and other shares or units not deemed outstanding, determined by relating the portion of time within a reporting period that common shares or units have been outstanding to the total time in that period.

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