The terms “ruffles” and “frills” are used in a variety of contexts. When used in English, they are used differently from when used in fashion, notably sewing.
Key Takeaways
- Ruffles are strips of fabric gathered or pleated on one edge, creating a wavy, decorative effect.
- Frills resemble ruffles but feature multiple layers and a more delicate appearance.
- Both ruffles and frills add visual interest to garments and textiles, but they differ in construction and style.
Ruffles vs Frills
In fashion, a ruffle is a fabric strip pleated and sewn along the edge of another garment to create a decorative frill. It is made with lace, ribbon and fabric to design necklines and blouses. A frill is a gathered fabric, lace or ribbon used for decoration purposes.
Ruffles or furbelow are a fabric, lace, or ribbon strewn across a garment firmly gathered or pleated on one end and applied as a trimming to apparel, bedding, or other textiles in sewing and dressmaking.
It refers to the tiny pleats created with fabric, ribbon, or lace and stitched on the borders of skirts or dresses, or occasionally around the necks of dresses and blouses, in dressmaking or sewing.
Comparison Table
| Parameters Of Comparison | Ruffles | Frills |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | A ruffle is a fabric or ribbon stretched over a cloth securely assembled or plucked on one end and utilised as trimming to sewing and dressing clothing, bedding or other textiles. | A frill is a pleated, gathered protrusion or border of ribbon, cloth, lace, or curled paper used for ornamentation. |
| Origin | Ruffles originated in 15th century in Germany. | Firlls originated in 16th century in Spain. |
| Wideness | Ruffles are wider than frills. | Frills are less wide than ruffles. |
| Size | Ruffles are larger than frills. | Frills are smaller than Ruffles in size. |
| Delicacy | Ruffles are less delicate than frills. | Frills are more delicate than ruffles. |
What is Ruffles?
Ruffles are a pleated decorative fabric piece commonly used as a garment decoration. The etymology of the phrase ruffle is uncertain; however, it has been from the Low German word ruffled, which means “to wrinkle.”
What is Frills?
A frill is a pleated, gathered protrusion or border of ribbon, fabric, lace, or curled paper used for adornment, hair on the neck of a bird or animal,
wrinkling around the edge of a photographic film, and a luxury that is not necessary but cherished and valued when accessible.
It all began in 16th-century Spain when soldiers cut the sleeves of their top layer of clothing to show the garment beneath.
Main Differences Between Ruffles and Frills
- Ruffles are larger than frills, whereas Frills are smaller than Ruffles in size.
- Ruffles are less delicate than frills, whereas Frills are more delicate than ruffles
- https://journals.ashs.org/hortsci/view/journals/hortsci/31/4/article-p688c.xml
- https://journals.ashs.org/hortsci/view/journals/hortsci/31/4/article-p608c.xml
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