Frill vs. Ruffle — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 3, 2024
A frill is a strip of fabric gathered or pleated on one edge, used as a decorative element, while a ruffle is a strip of fabric, lace, or ribbon tightly gathered or pleated on one edge, creating a fuller decorative effect.
Difference Between Frill and Ruffle
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Frills are a decorative trim added to clothing, bedding, or other fabric items, characterized by their gathered or pleated fabric that creates a gentle, wavy edge. They often add a subtle, delicate detail to the item they adorn. On the other hand, ruffles are similar in that they are also a decorative feature made from gathered fabric, but they are typically fuller and create more volume, giving a more dramatic effect than frills.
While frills are used to add a touch of elegance and light decoration without significantly altering the silhouette of a garment or item, ruffles can transform the overall appearance, adding texture and a sense of movement. Ruffles are often found on garments to accentuate certain parts of the body or to add a statement to the garment’s design.
The process of creating frills involves gathering or pleating the fabric along one edge, which can be done by hand or with a sewing machine, resulting in a soft, flowing trim. Ruffles, while created through a similar process, require more fabric and tighter gathers or pleats, resulting in a denser, more pronounced decorative edge.
In terms of application, frills are commonly seen on the edges of sleeves, collars, or along the hem of skirts and dresses, providing a subtle, feminine touch. Ruffles, however, are versatile and can be applied in multiple layers, used to embellish necklines, skirts, and even accessories like bags and hats, making a bold fashion statement.
Despite their differences, both frills and ruffles serve the purpose of embellishing and enhancing the aesthetic appeal of items. The choice between using a frill or a ruffle often depends on the desired effect, with frills offering a hint of decoration and ruffles delivering a more dramatic, voluminous look.
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Comparison Chart
Volume
Less volume, more subtle
More volume, fuller effect
Effect
Gentle, delicate decoration
Dramatic, pronounced decoration
Application
Sleeves, collars, hemlines
Necklines, skirts, accessories
Fabric Usage
Less fabric, simpler gathers
More fabric, tighter gathers or pleats
Design Purpose
Add a touch of elegance
Create texture and movement
Compare with Definitions
Frill
Subtle detailing.
The tablecloth featured a frill along its edge for a refined look.
Ruffle
A fuller decorative edge.
The skirt was eye-catching with its bold ruffle detail.
Frill
Gentle decoration.
The dress had a frill at the hem, adding a soft touch.
Ruffle
Layered adornment.
The bedding set included a duvet cover with multiple ruffles for a luxurious feel.
Frill
A decorative edge.
The pillowcase was adorned with a delicate frill.
Ruffle
Textural decoration.
The curtain had a ruffle border that added depth to the room's decor.
Frill
Minimalistic adornment.
His shirt had a frill on the cuff, providing a hint of style.
Ruffle
Statement design feature.
The designer incorporated a ruffle to add movement to the gown.
Frill
Light embellishment.
She preferred blouses with a simple frill at the collar.
Ruffle
Voluminous embellishment.
She wore a dress with a dramatic ruffle at the neckline.
Frill
A ruffled, gathered, or pleated border or projection, such as a fabric edge used to trim clothing.
Ruffle
Disorder or disarrange (someone's hair), typically by running one's hands through it
He ruffled her hair affectionately
Frill
A projection as of hair, feathers, bone, or cartilage, about the neck of an animal.
Ruffle
Ornament with or gather into a frill
A blouse with a high ruffled neck
Frill
A wrinkling of the edge of a photographic film.
Ruffle
An ornamental gathered or goffered frill of lace or other cloth on a garment, especially around the wrist or neck.
Frill
(Informal)Something that is desirable but not a necessity; a luxury.
Ruffle
A vibrating drum beat.
Frill
To make into a ruffle or frill.
Ruffle
A strip of frilled or closely pleated fabric used for trimming or decoration.
Frill
To add a ruffle or frill to.
Ruffle
A ruff on a bird.
Frill
To become wrinkled along the edge.
Ruffle
An irregularity or a slight disturbance of a surface
The ruffle on the lake.
Frill
A strip of pleated fabric or paper used as decoration or trim.
Ruffle
A beating or rustling sound
The ruffle of drums in the distance.
The ruffle of a skirt on the floor.
Frill
(figurative) A substance or material on the edge of something, resembling such a strip of fabric.
Ruffle
A low continuous beating of a drum that is not as loud as a roll. Also called ruff4.
Frill
(photography) A wrinkled edge to a film.
Ruffle
To disturb the smoothness or regularity of; ripple
The wind ruffled the water.
Frill
(figurative) Something extraneous or not essential; something purely for show or effect; a luxury.
Ruffle
To pleat or gather (fabric) into a ruffle.
Frill
(zoology) The relatively extensive margin seen on the back of the heads of reptiles, with either a bony support or a cartilaginous one.
Ruffle
To put a ruffle on (a garment, for example).
Frill
(transitive) To make into a frill.
Ruffle
To erect (the feathers). Used of birds.
Frill
(intransitive) To become wrinkled.
Ruffle
To discompose or annoy; fluster
A book that is bound to ruffle some people.
Frill
(transitive) To provide or decorate with a frill or frills; to turn back in crimped plaits.
Ruffle
To flip through (the pages of a book).
Frill
To shake or shiver as with cold (with reference to a hawk).
Ruffle
To shuffle (cards).
Frill
To cry (with reference to a bird of prey).
Ruffle
To become irregular or rough
His hair ruffled in the wind.
Frill
To shake or shiver as with cold; as, the hawk frills.
Ruffle
To become annoyed or flustered
What teacher doesn't ruffle when students act up in class?.
Frill
To wrinkle; - said of the gelatin film.
Ruffle
To flip through the pages of a book
Ruffled through the book until I found the picture.
Frill
To provide or decorate with a frill or frills; to turn back. in crimped plaits; as, to frill a cap.
Ruffle
To search for something in a container
Ruffled in her bag looking for the keys.
Frill
A ruffing of a bird's feathers from cold.
Ruffle
To make a beating or rustling sound.
Frill
A border or edging secured at one edge and left free at the other, usually fluted or crimped like a very narrow flounce.
Ruffle
To beat a ruffle on (a drum).
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.
Ruffle
(Obsolete) To behave arrogantly or roughly; swagger.
Frill
A strip of pleated material used as a decoration or a trim
Ruffle
Any gathered or curled strip of fabric added as trim or decoration.
She loved the dress with the lace ruffle at the hem.
Ruffle
Disturbance; agitation; commotion.
To put the mind in a ruffle
Ruffle
(military) A low, vibrating beat of a drum, quieter than a roll; a ruff.
Ruffle
(zoology) The connected series of large egg capsules, or oothecae, of several species of American marine gastropods of the genus Fulgur.
Ruffle
(transitive) To make a ruffle in; to curl or flute, as an edge of fabric.
Ruffle the end of the cuff.
Ruffle
(transitive) To disturb; especially, to cause to flutter.
The wind ruffled the papers.
Her sudden volley of insults ruffled his composure.
Ruffle
(intransitive) To grow rough, boisterous, or turbulent.
Ruffle
(intransitive) To become disordered; to play loosely; to flutter.
Ruffle
(intransitive) To be rough; to jar; to be in contention; hence, to put on airs; to swagger.
Ruffle
To make into a ruff; to draw or contract into puckers, plaits, or folds; to wrinkle.
Ruffle
To erect in a ruff, as feathers.
Ruffle
(military) To beat with the ruff or ruffle, as a drum.
Ruffle
To throw together in a disorderly manner.
Ruffle
To make into a ruff; to draw or contract into puckers, plaits, or folds; to wrinkle.
Ruffle
To furnish with ruffles; as, to ruffle a shirt.
Ruffle
To oughen or disturb the surface of; to make uneven by agitation or commotion.
The fantastic revelries . . . that so often ruffled the placid bosom of the Nile.
She smoothed the ruffled seas.
Ruffle
To erect in a ruff, as feathers.
[the swan] ruffles her pure cold plume.
Ruffle
To beat with the ruff or ruffle, as a drum.
Ruffle
To discompose; to agitate; to disturb.
These ruffle the tranquillity of the mind.
But, ever after, the small violence doneRankled in him and ruffled all his heart.
Ruffle
To throw into disorder or confusion.
Where bestHe might the ruffled foe infest.
Ruffle
To throw together in a disorderly manner.
I ruffled up falen leaves in heap.
Ruffle
To grow rough, boisterous, or turbulent.
The night comes on, and the bleak windsDo sorely ruffle.
Ruffle
To become disordered; to play loosely; to flutter.
On his right shoulder his thick mane reclined,Ruffles at speed, and dances in the wind.
Ruffle
To be rough; to jar; to be in contention; hence, to put on airs; to swagger.
They would ruffle with jurors.
Gallants who ruffled in silk and embroidery.
Ruffle
That which is ruffled; specifically, a strip of lace, cambric, or other fine cloth, plaited or gathered on one edge or in the middle, and used as a trimming; a frill.
Ruffle
A state of being ruffled or disturbed; disturbance; agitation; commotion; as, to put the mind in a ruffle.
Ruffle
A low, vibrating beat of a drum, not so loud as a roll; - called also ruff.
Ruffle
The connected series of large egg capsules, or oöthecæ, of any one of several species of American marine gastropods of the genus Fulgur. See Oötheca.
Ruffle
A strip of pleated material used as a decoration or a trim
Ruffle
A high tight collar
Ruffle
A noisy fight
Ruffle
Stir up (water) so as to form ripples
Ruffle
Trouble or vex;
Ruffle somebody's composure
Ruffle
To walk with a lofty proud gait, often in an attempt to impress others;
He struts around like a rooster in a hen house
Ruffle
Discompose;
This play is going to ruffle some people
She has a way of ruffling feathers among her colleagues
Ruffle
Twitch or flutter;
The paper flicked
Ruffle
Mix so as to make a random order or arrangement;
Shuffle the cards
Ruffle
Erect or fluff up;
The bird ruffled its feathers
Ruffle
Disturb the smoothness of;
Ruffle the surface of the water
Ruffle
Pleat or gather into a ruffle;
Ruffle the curtain fabric
Common Curiosities
What's the main difference between a frill and a ruffle?
The main difference lies in their volume and effect; frills are subtler and add gentle decoration, whereas ruffles are fuller and create a more dramatic look.
Can frills and ruffles be made from any fabric?
Yes, both can be made from various fabrics, but the choice of fabric can affect their appearance and volume.
How do you care for garments with frills or ruffles?
Care depends on the fabric but generally involves gentle washing and careful drying to maintain their shape.
Is it difficult to sew frills and ruffles?
Sewing frills and ruffles can be challenging for beginners due to the precision required in gathering fabric, but it becomes easier with practice.
Do frills or ruffles use more fabric?
Ruffles typically use more fabric than frills due to their fuller gathers and pleats.
Are frills suitable for casual wear?
Yes, frills can add a subtle decorative touch to casual wear without being overly dramatic.
Can frills be added to existing clothing?
Yes, frills can be added to customize and embellish existing clothing items.
Can accessories have frills or ruffles?
Yes, accessories like bags, scarves, and hats can feature frills or ruffles for added decoration.
Are frills and ruffles only used in women's clothing?
While traditionally more common in women's clothing, both frills and ruffles can be found in men's fashion and home decor.
Can men's clothing feature frills or ruffles?
Yes, men's clothing can feature both, often seen in historical or avant-garde fashion designs.
Can frills and ruffles go out of fashion?
Like all decorative elements, their popularity may fluctuate, but they remain enduring features in fashion and decor for their ability to add interest and texture.
Do ruffles have to be large and voluminous?
While ruffles are generally fuller, their size can vary depending on the design intention.
What occasions are ruffles suitable for?
Ruffles can be suited for both casual and formal occasions, depending on the garment's overall design.
Are frills and ruffles gender-specific?
No, while often associated with women's fashion, frills and ruffles can be incorporated into designs for any gender, reflecting a wide range of styles and preferences.
How do you choose between a frill and a ruffle for a design?
The choice depends on the desired effect; use frills for subtle elegance and ruffles for a bolder, more dramatic look.
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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
