VF Corporation Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Reconciliation of Change in Accrual for Unrecognized Income Tax Benefits (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 02, 2016	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013
Reconciliation Of Income Taxes [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	$ 130,823	$ 135,988	$ 152,115
Additions for current year tax positions	13,470	12,850	11,921
Additions for prior year tax positions	7,584	10,285	15,535
Reductions for prior year tax positions	(38,782)	(15,678)	(10,651)
Reductions due to statute expirations	(14,308)	(9,806)	(7,153)
Payments in settlement	(13,502)	(2,399)	(25,640)
Currency translation - decrease	(239)	(417)	(139)
Ending Balance	85,046	130,823	135,988
Unrecognized Income Tax Benefits
Reconciliation Of Income Taxes [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	113,604	118,514	135,294
Additions for current year tax positions	13,470	12,850	11,921
Additions for prior year tax positions	4,396	5,252	10,908
Reductions for prior year tax positions	(32,432)	(12,898)	(8,521)
Reductions due to statute expirations	(11,780)	(9,159)	(6,527)
Payments in settlement	(11,437)	(657)	(24,422)
Currency translation - decrease	(144)	(298)	(139)
Ending Balance	75,677	113,604	118,514
Accrued Interest and Penalties
Reconciliation Of Income Taxes [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	17,219	17,474	16,821
Additions for prior year tax positions	3,188	5,033	4,627
Reductions for prior year tax positions	(6,350)	(2,780)	(2,130)
Reductions due to statute expirations	(2,528)	(647)	(626)
Payments in settlement	(2,065)	(1,742)	(1,218)
Currency translation - decrease	(95)	(119)
Ending Balance	$ 9,369	$ 17,219	$ 17,474