Business Segments and Geographic Information (Details Textual) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2011	Oct. 01, 2011 Segment
Business Segments and Geographic Information (Textual) [Abstract]
Expenses Reclassified	$ 2,467	$ 7,422
Business Segments and Geographic Information (Additional Textual) [Abstract]
Number of business segments		3
Sportswear Group [Member] | Calvin Klein Full Price Free Standing [Member]
Business Segments and Geographic Information (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of Stores	139	139
Intimate Apparel Group [Member] | Calvin Klein Full Price Free Standing [Member]
Business Segments and Geographic Information (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of Stores	99	99
Sportswear Group [Member] | Calvin Klein Shop In Shop Concession Stores [Member]
Business Segments and Geographic Information (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of Stores	369	369
Intimate Apparel Group [Member] | Calvin Klein Shop In Shop Concession Stores [Member]
Business Segments and Geographic Information (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of Stores	717	717
Swimwear Group [Member] | Calvin Klein Shop In Shop Concession Stores [Member]
Business Segments and Geographic Information (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of Stores	191	191
Sportswear Group [Member] | Calvin Klein Retail Stores [Member]
Business Segments and Geographic Information (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of Stores	565	565
Intimate Apparel Group [Member] | Calvin Klein Retail Stores [Member]
Business Segments and Geographic Information (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of Stores	878	878
Sportswear Group [Member] | Calvin Klein Outlet Free Standing Stores [Member]
Business Segments and Geographic Information (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of Stores	56	56
Intimate Apparel Group [Member] | Calvin Klein Outlet Free Standing Stores [Member]
Business Segments and Geographic Information (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of Stores	61	61
Sportswear Group [Member] | Third Party Under Retail Licenses Or Distributer Agreements [Member]
Business Segments and Geographic Information (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of Stores	371	371
Intimate Apparel Group [Member] | Third Party Under Retail Licenses Or Distributer Agreements [Member]
Business Segments and Geographic Information (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of Stores	211	211
Sportswear Group [Member]
Business Segments and Geographic Information (Textual) [Abstract]
Description of company's business segments		The Sportswear Group designs, sources and markets moderate to premium priced men's and women's sportswear under the Calvin Klein and Chaps® brands. As of October 1, 2011, the Sportswear Group operated 565 Calvin Klein retail stores worldwide (consisting of 139 full price free-standing stores, 56 outlet free standing stores,369 shop-in-shop/concession stores and, in the U.S., one on-line store). As of October 1, 2011, there were also 371 retail stores operated by third parties under retail licenses or distributor agreements.
Expenses Reclassified	(1,730)	(5,134)
Gain on Insurance Claim		1,630
Intimate Apparel Group [Member]
Business Segments and Geographic Information (Textual) [Abstract]
Description of company's business segments		The Intimate Apparel Group designs, sources and markets moderate to premium priced intimate apparel and other products for women and better to premium priced men's underwear, sleepwear and loungewear under the Calvin Klein , Warner's®, Olga® and Body Nancy Ganz/Bodyslimmers® brand names. As of October 1, 2011, the Intimate Apparel Group operated 878 Calvin Klein retail stores worldwide (consisting of 99 full-price free-standing stores, 61 outlet free-standing stores and 717 shop-in-shop/concession stores and, in the U.S., one on-line store). As of October 1, 2011, there were also 211 Calvin Klein retail stores operated by third parties under retail licenses or distributor agreements.
Expenses Reclassified	(1,052)	(2,809)
Gain on sale and assignment of trademark to Company's former licensee		2,000
Proceeds from sale and assignment of trademark to Company's former licensee		2,000
Swimwear Group [Member]
Business Segments and Geographic Information (Textual) [Abstract]
Description of company's business segments		The Swimwear Group designs, licenses, sources and markets mass market to premium priced swimwear, fitness apparel, swim accessories and related products under the Speedo®, Lifeguard® and Calvin Klein brand names. As of October 1, 2011, the Swimwear Group operated 191 Calvin Klein retail shop-in-shop/concession stores in Europe and one on-line store in the U.S.
Expenses Reclassified	$ (315)	$ (521)