Business Segments and Geographic Information (Details Textual) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 Segment	Jan. 01, 2011	Jan. 02, 2010
Business Segments and Geographic Information (Textual) [Abstract]
Expenses Reclassified		$ 9,892	$ 6,664
Corporate Depreciation and Amortization Expense.		1,635	1,653
Business Segments and Geographic Information (Additional Textual) [Abstract]
Number of business segments	3
Charge recorded relate to the write down of inventory			3,552
Reduction in Employee Performance based cash compensation	9,200
Decline in general administrative and professional fees	3,700
Increase in amounts accrued for performance-based employee compensation		10,100
Increase in share-based compensation expense due primarily to the addition of Retirement Eligibility provisions		4,500
Increase in professional fees		1,500
Charge for franchise taxes		1,000
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 December 31, 2011, the Sportswear Group operated 610 Calvin Klein retail stores worldwide (consisting of 154 full price free-standing stores, 57 outlet free standing stores, 398 shop-in-shop/concession stores and, in the U.S., one on-line store). As of December 31, 2011, there were also 393 retail stores operated by third parties under retail licenses or franchise and distributor agreements.
Expenses Reclassified		6,924	(4,698)
Corporate Depreciation and Amortization Expense.		842	876
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 and loungewear under the Calvin Klein, Warner's®,Olga® and Body Nancy Ganz/Bodyslimmers® brand names. As of December 31, 2011, the Intimate Apparel Group operated: (i) 958 Calvin Klein retail stores worldwide (consisting of 109 full price free-standing stores, 61 outlet free-standing stores, 787 shop-in-shop/concession stores)., and, in the U.S., one on-line internet store). As of December 31, 2011, there were also 222 Calvin Klein retail stores operated by third parties under retail licenses or franchise and distributor agreements.
Expenses Reclassified		3,796	(2,638)
Corporate Depreciation and Amortization Expense.		615	562
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, manufactures 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 0f December 31, 2011, the Swimwear Group operated 191 shop-in-shop/concession stores, and in the U.S ., one Speedo on-line internet store.
Expenses Reclassified		(828)	(672)
Corporate Depreciation and Amortization Expense.		$ 178	$ 215
Calvin Klein Full Price Free Standing [Member]
Business Segments and Geographic Information (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of Stores	263
Calvin Klein Full Price Free Standing [Member] | Sportswear Group [Member]
Business Segments and Geographic Information (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of Stores	154
Calvin Klein Full Price Free Standing [Member] | Intimate Apparel Group [Member]
Business Segments and Geographic Information (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of Stores	109
Calvin Klein Shop in Shop Concession Stores [Member]
Business Segments and Geographic Information (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of Stores	1,376
Calvin Klein Shop in Shop Concession Stores [Member] | Sportswear Group [Member]
Business Segments and Geographic Information (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of Stores	398
Calvin Klein Shop in Shop Concession Stores [Member] | Intimate Apparel Group [Member]
Business Segments and Geographic Information (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of Stores	787
Calvin Klein Shop in Shop Concession Stores [Member] | Swimwear Group [Member]
Business Segments and Geographic Information (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of Stores	191
Calvin Klein Outlet Free Standing Stores [Member]
Business Segments and Geographic Information (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of Stores	118
Calvin Klein Outlet Free Standing Stores [Member] | Sportswear Group [Member]
Business Segments and Geographic Information (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of Stores	57
Calvin Klein Outlet Free Standing Stores [Member] | Intimate Apparel Group [Member]
Business Segments and Geographic Information (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of Stores	61
Third Party Under Retail Licenses or Distributer Agreements [Member]
Business Segments and Geographic Information (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of Stores	615
Third Party Under Retail Licenses or Distributer Agreements [Member] | Sportswear Group [Member]
Business Segments and Geographic Information (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of Stores	393
Third Party Under Retail Licenses or Distributer Agreements [Member] | Intimate Apparel Group [Member]
Business Segments and Geographic Information (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of Stores	222
On Line Stores [Member]
Business Segments and Geographic Information (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of Stores	3
On Line Stores [Member] | Sportswear Group [Member]
Business Segments and Geographic Information (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of Stores	1
On Line Stores [Member] | Intimate Apparel Group [Member]
Business Segments and Geographic Information (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of Stores	1
On Line Stores [Member] | Swimwear Group [Member]
Business Segments and Geographic Information (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of Stores	1
Calvin Klein Retail Stores [Member]
Business Segments and Geographic Information (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of Stores	1,757
Calvin Klein Retail Stores [Member] | Sportswear Group [Member]
Business Segments and Geographic Information (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of Stores	610
Calvin Klein Retail Stores [Member] | Intimate Apparel Group [Member]
Business Segments and Geographic Information (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of Stores	958