Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

RETIREMENT AND SAVINGS BENEFIT PLANS - Narrative (Detail)

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RETIREMENT AND SAVINGS BENEFIT PLANS - Narrative (Detail)
$ in Thousands
 1 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2016
USD ($)
Dec. 30, 2017
USD ($)
Sep. 30, 2017
USD ($)
Jul. 01, 2017
USD ($)
Apr. 01, 2017
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2016
USD ($)
Oct. 01, 2016
USD ($)
Jul. 02, 2016
USD ($)
Apr. 02, 2016
USD ($)
Dec. 30, 2017
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2016
USD ($)
participant
Jan. 02, 2016
USD ($)
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]                        
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax   $ (17,290) $ (87,680) $ 2,797 $ (4,113) $ 26,250 $ 24,420 $ (79,435) $ 24,017 $ (106,286) $ (4,748) $ 14,537
Selling, general and administrative expenses                   $ 4,463,146 3,988,320 3,747,799
Percentage of U.S. plan   91.00%               91.00%    
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   $ 34,100               $ 34,100    
Estimated amortization of prior service cost, next period   2,600               2,600    
VF contributions                       250,000
Estimated future benefit payments, 2018   105,700               105,700    
Estimated future benefit payments, 2019   97,700               97,700    
Estimated future benefit payments, 2020   95,500               95,500    
Estimated future benefit payments, 2021   99,400               99,400    
Estimated future benefit payments, 2022   104,100               104,100    
Estimated future benefit payments, 2023-2027   546,800               546,800    
VF's current liability to participants of the deferred compensation plans $ 34,498 38,885       34,498       38,885 34,498  
VF's liability to participants of the deferred compensation plans, expected to be paid beyond one year 196,942 201,116       $ 196,942       201,116 196,942  
Pension Plan                        
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]                        
Curtailments charges                   1,671 $ 0 0
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                   0 $ (50,922) (4,062)
VF contributions                   9,807 24,031  
Other Pension Plans, Defined Benefit                        
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]                        
VF contribution, next fiscal year   35,100               35,100    
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans                        
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]                        
Deferred compensation plans expense                   1,300 1,700 2,200
Deferred compensation liability, current and noncurrent   240,000               240,000    
VF's current liability to participants of the deferred compensation plans   38,900               38,900    
VF's liability to participants of the deferred compensation plans, expected to be paid beyond one year   201,100               201,100    
Fair value of investments   234,300               234,300    
Defined contribution plans expense                   41,200 39,700 40,000
Other Current Assets | Other Postretirement Benefit Plans                        
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]                        
Fair value of investments   32,600               32,600    
Other Assets | Other Postretirement Benefit Plans                        
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]                        
Fair value of investments   $ 201,700               201,700    
Defined Benefit Pension Plans                        
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]                        
Amortization of defined benefit pension plans                   (45,757) (118,718) (69,066)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Defined Benefit Pension Plans                        
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]                        
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax                   1,105 0 0
Selling, general and administrative expenses                   (566) $ 0 $ 0
Qualified Plan | Pension Plan                        
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]                        
Curtailments charges                   1,100    
Nonqualified Plan | Pension Plan                        
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]                        
Curtailments charges                   $ 600