Earnings Per Share and Stock Repurchase Activity (Calculation of Earnings Per Share) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 03, 2016	Aug. 27, 2016	May 28, 2016	Feb. 27, 2016	Nov. 28, 2015	Aug. 29, 2015	May 30, 2015	Feb. 28, 2015	Dec. 03, 2016	Nov. 28, 2015	Nov. 29, 2014
Earnings Per Share and Stock Repurchase Activity [Abstract]
Weighted average number of shares outstanding - Basic (in shares)									48,690,560	49,981,118	50,405,549
Dilutive effect of stock-based arrangements (in shares)									369,198	448,336	465,700
Weighted average number of shares outstanding - Diluted (in shares)									49,059,758	50,429,454	50,871,249
Net earnings attributable to CLARCOR Inc.	$ 29,000	$ 35,749	$ 53,354	$ 21,163	$ 33,053	$ 36,445	$ 38,497	$ 26,709	$ 139,266	$ 134,704	$ 144,084
Net earnings per common share attributable to CLARCOR Inc. - Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.60	$ 0.73	$ 1.10	$ 0.43	$ 0.67	$ 0.73	$ 0.77	$ 0.53	$ 2.86	$ 2.70	$ 2.86
Net earnings per common share attributable to CLARCOR Inc. - Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.59	$ 0.73	$ 1.09	$ 0.43	$ 0.67	$ 0.72	$ 0.76	$ 0.53	$ 2.84	$ 2.67	$ 2.83