Furbelows

Furbelow, plural furbelows, refers to a decorative trimming applied to clothing and textiles. A furbelow may be a frill, ruffle, lace edging, bow, tassel, or other ornament designed to decorate a seam, neckline, cuff, hem, or bodice. The term is most commonly used in historical descriptions of fashion and denotes florid ornamentation that adds visual fullness without changing the garment’s basic structure.

Origins and usage: The word entered English in the 17th century, likely borrowed from French, and became common in descriptions of fashionable dress during the 18th and early 19th centuries. Furbelows were typical of Rococo and late Georgian attire, often seen on gowns, mantles, and capes, and occasionally on hats and cravats. They could consist of lace trims, pleated ribbons, fringes, tassels, bows, or flounces, and were employed to emphasize curves, create volume, or convey a playful femininity. In some contexts, furbelows also referred to ornate trimming on interior textiles such as curtains or upholstery, though the fashion sense is most closely associated with clothing.

Decline and modern usage: With evolving silhouettes and simpler tailoring, the term has become largely archaic in everyday speech and is mainly found in fashion history, costume studies, or period literature. It is often treated as synonymous with frill, ruffle, or flounce, though furbelows can imply a denser or more elaborate edging. In contemporary costume production, furbelows are sometimes recreated to evoke specific historical eras.