Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013	Jun. 01, 2013	Mar. 02, 2013	Dec. 01, 2012	Sep. 01, 2012	Jun. 02, 2012	Mar. 03, 2012	Nov. 30, 2013	Dec. 01, 2012	Dec. 03, 2011
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 297,790	$ 289,126	$ 287,583	$ 256,271	$ 292,913	$ 286,733	$ 284,855	$ 257,264	$ 1,130,770	$ 1,121,765	$ 1,126,601
Gross profit	98,609	91,900	98,214	81,486	101,044	94,888	98,185	86,215	370,209	380,332	383,421
Net earnings	32,896	28,773	33,153	23,528	36,358	30,411	33,079	23,492	118,350	123,340	124,361
Net earnings attributable to CLARCOR Inc.	$ 32,856	$ 28,707	$ 33,051	$ 23,462	$ 36,310	$ 30,270	$ 32,927	$ 23,479	$ 118,076	$ 122,986	$ 124,003
Net earnings per common share attributable to CLARCOR Inc. - Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.65	$ 0.57	$ 0.66	$ 0.47	$ 0.73	$ 0.60	$ 0.65	$ 0.47	$ 2.36	$ 2.45	$ 2.46
Net earnings per common share attributable to CLARCOR Inc. - Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.65	$ 0.57	$ 0.66	$ 0.47	$ 0.72	$ 0.60	$ 0.65	$ 0.46	$ 2.34	$ 2.42	$ 2.42
Cash dividends paid per common share	$ 0.17	$ 0.135	$ 0.135	$ 0.135	$ 0.1350	$ 0.1200	$ 0.1200	$ 0.1200	$ 0.575	$ 0.495	$ 0.4350