Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Retirement and Savings Benefit Plans - Additional Information (Detail)

v3.3.1.900
Retirement and Savings Benefit Plans - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
 12 Months Ended
Jan. 02, 2016
Jan. 03, 2015
Dec. 28, 2013
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]      
Percentage of U.S. plan 93.00%    
Projected benefit obligation 92.00%    
Settlement charges $ (4,062)    
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 $ (65,200)    
Estimated amortization of prior service cost, next period 2,600    
VF contributions 273,520 $ 67,808  
Estimated future benefit payments, 2016 84,400    
Estimated future benefit payments, 2017 89,800    
Estimated future benefit payments, 2018 93,900    
Estimated future benefit payments, 2019 98,300    
Estimated future benefit payments, 2020 103,300    
Estimated future benefit payments, 2021-2025 569,300    
VF's current liability to participants of the deferred compensation plans 29,491 31,773  
VF's liability to participants of the deferred compensation plans, expected to be paid beyond one year 223,232 263,453  
Discretionary Contribution      
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]      
VF contributions 250,000 50,000  
Other Pension Plans, Defined Benefit      
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]      
VF contribution, next fiscal year 15,300    
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit      
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]      
Deferred compensation plans expense 2,500 5,700 $ 5,400
Deferred compensation liability, current and noncurrent 252,700    
VF's current liability to participants of the deferred compensation plans 29,491    
VF's liability to participants of the deferred compensation plans, expected to be paid beyond one year 223,232    
Fair value of investments 234,300    
Expected to be liquidated to fund payments to participants recorded in other current assets 29,000    
Expected to be liquidated to fund payments to participants recorded in other assets 205,300    
Defined contribution plans expense $ 47,000 $ 31,600 $ 22,000