CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Jan. 01, 2011	Jan. 02, 2010
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY [Abstract]
Exercise of stock options (in shares)	821,336	1,326,099	1,528,096
Withholdings from vesting of restricted stock (in shares)	70,827	31,004	0
Issuance of common stock (in shares)	38,520	26,147	34,404
Repurchases of common stock (in shares)	0	2,058,830	0
Comprehensive (loss) income:
Tax on OshKosh defined benefit plan	$ 3,660	$ 620	$ 1,349
Tax on Carter's post-retirement benefit obligation	36	100	100
Tax on unrealized gain/loss on interest rate swap agreement	0	378	238
Tax on realized gain on interest rate collar	0	0	216
Tax on realized gain on interest rate swap agreement	$ 0	$ 97	$ 0