Flounce Versus Frill

Question

Hi.What is the difference between flounce and frill? Both of them are kind of decoration used for clothes by folding the cloth.Thank you very much.

MalRey · Accepted Answer

Even though it's obviously possible I don't think I've ever heard "flounce" used with that meaning. I guess it probably is used that way in some specialized contexts but in everyday language I would avoid it. Stick to these definitions from Answers.com:

1. To move in a lively or bouncy manner: The children flounced around the room in their costumes.
2. To

1. To move in a lively or bouncy manner: The children flounced around the room in their costumes.
2. To move with exaggerated or affected motions: flounced petulantly out of the house.

Here is the link: http://www.answers.com/topic/flounce

Hrsanei · Answer

I am talking about flounce as a noun not verb.

MalRey · Answer

As I said I, in a lifetime of speaking English I have never heard "flounce" used as noun and I recommend avoiding it. The only exception would be if you are in some specialized industry or hobby, in which case the differences between it and "frill" will be clear through usage and custom.

If you are in such a circumstance you should have no problem finding out the difference from those around you.

Noctivagus · Answer

Wikipedia refers you to the word "ruffle" when you enter "flounce" and then gives you this:

A deep (wide) ruffle is usually called a flounce (earlier frounce or fronce)

Hrsanei · Answer

Thank you very much for your response.

Anonymous · Answer

This may be more than you really want to know, but I'm weighing in as someone who sews ...

In sewing, flounces, frills, and ruffles are applied decorative techniques. The words are frequently used interchangably in conversation and on the internet, but they are very dissimilar in constriction and appearance.

The FLOUNCE is made from a piece of material that is cut with a substantially wider outer edge than the inner edge. It is applied with the inner edge laid smoothly against the material that it will embellish. The larger outer edge thus drapes in a graceful, gentle trim. They are often seen as a peplum at the bottom edge of a jacket, or sleeve, where they are cut as an extra wide donut, the inner edge just large enough to fit smoothly around the sleeve, and the outer edge draping gracefully.

A RUFFLE is a long rectangular strip, gathered along its length at its base against and sewn in gathers to the material. They are often seen at the bottoms of skirts, curtains, and bedspreads. Draperies often hang in gathers from their poles to the floor, but those are not considered ruffles. The FRILL is constructed like a short ruffle, often made with a gathered ribbon rather than fabric, much shorter than a ruffle. Tuxedo shirts in the 1970s had frills down the front. (Personally, I would say that a frill is perhaps 1/2 inch to 2 inches tall. Anything taller, I would probably call a ruffle.)

Flounce Versus Frill

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