A structural description for garments featuring attached strips of pleated or gathered fabric, known as flounces. Unlike a standard ruffle which is gathered tightly on a straight grain, a true flounce is cut from a circular piece of fabric so it lies flat at the seam but falls in deep, undulating folds. Garments described this way have a high degree of volume and movement at the hem or sleeves.
Heard on the job
The customer wants the hem less flouncy, so let's swap the circular ruffle for a straight bias binding.
Insider tip
A true flounce is cut on the curve, whereas a ruffle is a straight strip gathered up. Rookies often use the term to mean anything ruffled, but patternmakers know the difference lies in the cut.