Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Retirement and Savings Benefit Plans - Narrative (Detail)

v3.6.0.2
Retirement and Savings Benefit Plans - Narrative (Detail)
$ in Thousands
 1 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2016
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2016
USD ($)
participant
Jan. 02, 2016
USD ($)
Jan. 03, 2015
USD ($)
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]        
Percentage of U.S. plan 92.00% 92.00%    
Projected benefit obligation   90.00%    
Project benefit obligation amortized over five years minimum   20.00%    
Number of years amortized   5 years    
Projected benefit obligations amortized over the expected average remaining service of active participants minimum   10.00%    
Projected benefit obligations amortized over the expected average remaining service of active participants maximum   20.00%    
Plan assets or projected benefit obligations unamortized, maximum percentage   10.00%    
Deferred actuarial losses to be amortized to pension expenses   $ 45,400    
Estimated amortization of prior service cost, next period   2,900    
VF contributions     $ 250,000  
Estimated future benefit payments, 2017 $ 89,700 89,700    
Estimated future benefit payments, 2018 93,000 93,000    
Estimated future benefit payments, 2019 96,400 96,400    
Estimated future benefit payments, 2020 100,500 100,500    
Estimated future benefit payments, 2021 103,100 103,100    
Estimated future benefit payments, 2022-2026 543,000 543,000    
VF's current liability to participants of the deferred compensation plans 34,498 34,498 29,491  
VF's liability to participants of the deferred compensation plans, expected to be paid beyond one year 198,256 $ 198,256 223,232  
Pension Plan        
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]        
Number of participants that accepted a distribution | participant   9,400    
Percentage of eligible participants   66.00%    
Reduction in the total number of participants   (23.00%)    
Lump-sum distribution 197,100      
Settled projected benefit obligation 224,700      
Pension settlement charge   $ (50,922) (4,062) $ 0
VF contributions   24,031 273,520  
Other Pension Plans, Defined Benefit        
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]        
VF contribution, next fiscal year   17,000    
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans        
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]        
Deferred compensation plans expense   1,800 2,500 5,700
Deferred compensation liability, current and noncurrent 232,800 232,800    
VF's current liability to participants of the deferred compensation plans 34,500 34,500    
VF's liability to participants of the deferred compensation plans, expected to be paid beyond one year 198,300 198,300    
Fair value of investments 225,400 225,400    
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans        
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]        
Defined contribution plans expense   45,200 $ 47,000 $ 31,600
Other Current Assets | Other Postretirement Benefit Plans        
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]        
Fair value of investments 31,000 31,000    
Other Assets | Other Postretirement Benefit Plans        
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]        
Fair value of investments $ 194,400 $ 194,400