Flounce vs. Frill — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 6, 2024
A flounce is a wide decorative strip of fabric often gathered or pleated, while a frill is a narrow, decorative fabric strip that typically has a ruffled edge. Both are used to embellish clothing.
Difference Between Flounce and Frill
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A flounce is a wide fabric strip sewn onto a garment to add decorative flair, often creating a wave-like effect. A frill is narrower and adds a subtler ruffled detail to clothing for a feminine touch.
Flounces are usually gathered or pleated to provide volume, creating an elegant, flowing effect. Frills, on the other hand, are often less voluminous and primarily serve as delicate edging to garments.
Flounces are versatile in size and placement and can be found around hemlines or necklines. Frills, however, are usually placed on cuffs, collars, and hems to add light embellishment.
A flounce may involve sewing a separate fabric strip or extending an existing piece, whereas frills are more frequently pre-sewn decorative trims attached to the fabric.
Flounces add dramatic flair, often giving an asymmetrical look, while frills, being lighter and more restrained, add subtle detail to a design.
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Comparison Chart
Width
Wide
Narrow
Fabric volume
Pleated or gathered, voluminous
Ruffled but less voluminous
Placement
Hemlines, necklines
Cuffs, collars, hems
Construction
Sewn onto or extended from fabric
Often pre-made trim
Decorative feel
Dramatic, flowing
Light, delicate
Compare with Definitions
Flounce
A wide strip of fabric sewn to clothing for decoration.
The dress features a large flounce that sways with every step.
Frill
A narrow, ruffled fabric strip used for decoration.
The blouse is adorned with delicate frills along the collar.
Flounce
A decorative fabric gathered or pleated to form waves.
She added a flounce to her skirt for a flowing effect.
Frill
A ruffled decoration, often along the edges.
The curtain's frills provided a charming touch.
Flounce
An elaborate exit made with exaggerated movements.
In a dramatic flounce, she left the room.
Frill
An ornamental detail intended for a light aesthetic effect.
The designer used frills sparingly to avoid over-embellishing.
Flounce
A style embellishment often creating asymmetry.
The asymmetrical flounce adds elegance to the gown.
Frill
An ornamental fabric trimming used on garments.
Frills on her sleeves gave the dress a vintage feel.
Flounce
A pleated or ruffled ornamentation that adds flair.
The designer used a flounce to accentuate the dress's flow.
Frill
A subtle decorative flourish or embellishment.
Even small frills can completely change a simple design.
Flounce
A strip of decorative, usually gathered or pleated material attached by one edge, as on a garment or curtain.
Frill
A ruffled, gathered, or pleated border or projection, such as a fabric edge used to trim clothing.
Flounce
The act or motion of flouncing.
Frill
A projection as of hair, feathers, bone, or cartilage, about the neck of an animal.
Flounce
To trim with a strip or strips of gathered or pleated material.
Frill
A wrinkling of the edge of a photographic film.
Flounce
To move in a lively or bouncy manner
The children flounced around the room in their costumes.
Frill
(Informal)Something that is desirable but not a necessity; a luxury.
Flounce
To move with exaggerated or affected motions
Flounced petulantly out of the house.
Frill
To make into a ruffle or frill.
Flounce
To move clumsily; flounder.
Frill
To add a ruffle or frill to.
Flounce
To move in an exaggerated, bouncy manner.
Frill
To become wrinkled along the edge.
Flounce
(archaic) To flounder; to make spastic motions.
Frill
A strip of pleated fabric or paper used as decoration or trim.
Flounce
To decorate with a flounce.
Frill
(figurative) A substance or material on the edge of something, resembling such a strip of fabric.
Flounce
To depart in a haughty, dramatic way that draws attention to oneself.
After failing to win the leadership election, he flounced dramatically.
Frill
(photography) A wrinkled edge to a film.
Flounce
(sewing) A strip of decorative material, usually pleated, attached along one edge; a ruffle.W
Frill
(figurative) Something extraneous or not essential; something purely for show or effect; a luxury.
Flounce
The act of flouncing.
Frill
(zoology) The relatively extensive margin seen on the back of the heads of reptiles, with either a bony support or a cartilaginous one.
Flounce
A row of spines, corrugations, or skin folds on the hemipenis of a snake.
Frill
(transitive) To make into a frill.
Flounce
To throw the limbs and body one way and the other; to spring, turn, or twist with sudden effort or violence; to struggle, as a horse in mire; to flounder; to throw one's self with a jerk or spasm, often as in displeasure.
To flutter and flounce will do nothing but batter and bruise us.
With his broad fins and forky tail he lavesThe rising sirge, and flounces in the waves.
Frill
(intransitive) To become wrinkled.
Flounce
To deck with a flounce or flounces; as, to flounce a petticoat or a frock.
Frill
(transitive) To provide or decorate with a frill or frills; to turn back in crimped plaits.
Flounce
The act of floucing; a sudden, jerking motion of the body.
Frill
To shake or shiver as with cold (with reference to a hawk).
Flounce
An ornamental appendage to the skirt of a woman's dress, consisting of a strip gathered and sewed on by its upper edge around the skirt, and left hanging.
Frill
To cry (with reference to a bird of prey).
Flounce
A strip of pleated material used as a decoration or a trim
Frill
To shake or shiver as with cold; as, the hawk frills.
Flounce
The act of walking with exaggerated jerky motions
Frill
To wrinkle; - said of the gelatin film.
Flounce
Walk emphatically
Frill
To provide or decorate with a frill or frills; to turn back. in crimped plaits; as, to frill a cap.
Frill
A ruffing of a bird's feathers from cold.
Frill
A border or edging secured at one edge and left free at the other, usually fluted or crimped like a very narrow flounce.
Frill
Something superfluous, such as an ornament, or an additional function on a device or in a system not essential to the basic operation. - Commonly used in the phrase no frills, used adjectively to indicate a fully functional but economical device or service; as, an economical no-frills airline.
Frill
A strip of pleated material used as a decoration or a trim
Common Curiosities
Are frills and ruffles the same thing?
Frills and ruffles are similar, but frills are usually narrower and serve as decorative edging, while ruffles are often wider and gathered for more volume.
What is a flounce in fashion?
A flounce is a wide fabric strip sewn onto clothing for decoration, typically gathered or pleated for a flowing, wave-like effect.
What distinguishes a frill from a flounce?
A frill is narrower and ruffled, providing a lighter, more delicate embellishment compared to the wider and more dramatic flounce.
Do flounces only appear on clothing?
Flounces can also be found on home décor items like curtains, pillowcases, and tablecloths, where they add a decorative touch.
Do flounces or frills serve any functional purpose?
Both flounces and frills are primarily decorative, enhancing the garment's aesthetic appeal without serving a practical function.
Can flounces and frills be used together?
Yes, flounces and frills can be used together on the same garment to create varied decorative effects, balancing both dramatic and subtle embellishments.
Are frills appropriate for all ages?
Frills can suit any age, as designers often adapt them for different garments, from children's clothing to sophisticated adult fashion.
Where are flounces commonly placed on garments?
Flounces are commonly placed on hemlines, necklines, and sleeves to create volume and asymmetrical shapes.
How are flounces attached to garments?
Flounces can be attached as separate fabric strips sewn onto the garment or by extending an existing fabric piece through cutting and sewing.
What materials are typically used for frills?
Frills are often made from lightweight fabrics like lace, chiffon, or cotton, chosen for their ability to drape and hold ruffles well.
Can flounces be asymmetrical?
Flounces are often asymmetrical to create dynamic movement and visually striking patterns on clothing.
How do frills affect garment care?
Frills can require extra care, especially when made from delicate fabrics, which may need hand washing or special attention when ironing.
Can flounces be made from stiff fabrics?
Flounces can be made from stiffer fabrics to create more structure, but lightweight fabrics like chiffon or organza are preferred for flowing effects.
Is there a difference between a frill and a trim?
Frills are a type of trim specifically characterized by ruffled or gathered fabric edges, while trims are a broader category of decorative edging.
Are there any historical roots to flounces and frills?
Yes, both have historical roots in fashion, with flounces being popular in the 18th and 19th centuries, while frills were common in Victorian-era garments.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
