Segment Information - Revenues by Segment (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Gross sales									$ 6,073,714	$ 6,283,628	$ 6,718,448
Sales adjustments									(617,064)	(581,015)	(694,629)
Net Sales	$ 1,834,400	$ 1,795,575	$ 957,276	$ 869,399	$ 1,999,744	$ 1,791,968	$ 988,152	$ 922,749	5,456,650	5,702,613	6,023,819
Operating (loss) income	262,643	317,396	(11,660)	(49,146)	294,053	300,773	563	(54,467)	519,233	540,922	653,714
Interest expense									95,118	85,270	79,271
Interest (income)									(9,144)	(7,230)	(7,382)
Other non-operating expense (income), net									23,517	(1,033)	(5,085)
Income Before Income Taxes	$ 238,945	$ 294,028	$ (29,752)	$ (93,479)	$ 270,821	$ 286,139	$ (19,898)	$ (73,147)	409,742	463,915	586,910
Expense for incentive compensation plans									16,500	50,200	25,200
Share-based compensation expense									53,950	56,691	51,993
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating (loss) income									962,031	929,216	933,308
Operating Segments | North America
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Gross sales									3,036,181	3,083,873	3,011,633
Operating (loss) income									564,378	538,249	459,833
Operating Segments | International
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Gross sales									2,447,615	2,603,537	3,061,506
Operating (loss) income									291,230	321,068	359,904
Operating Segments | American Girl
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Gross sales									589,918	596,218	645,309
Operating (loss) income									106,423	69,899	113,571
Corporate and Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating (loss) income									(442,798)	(388,294)	(279,594)
Expense for incentive compensation plans									16,500	50,200	25,200
Severance and other termination-related costs									39,900	72,000	51,800
Share-based compensation expense									$ 53,900	$ 56,700	$ 52,000