frippery

Frippery refers to non-essential items or ornaments, often of little value and considered excessive or showy. It typically describes superficial adornments, decorations, or trinkets that lack practical purpose and are primarily for display. The term can be applied to clothing, accessories, or other objects that are perceived as overly ornate, gaudy, or frivolous.

Historically, frippery has been associated with fashion and personal adornment. It might encompass lace, ribbons, excessive jewelry, or other embellishments that were considered fashionable but ultimately served little functional purpose. The term often carries a slightly dismissive connotation, suggesting that these items are a waste of resources or attention.

In a broader sense, frippery can extend beyond physical objects to describe unnecessary or superficial talk or behavior. It implies a lack of substance or seriousness, focusing instead on trivial matters. The core idea remains consistent: something that is ornamental, perhaps attractive, but ultimately superfluous and lacking in true value or utility. The perception of what constitutes frippery can be subjective and vary depending on cultural context and individual taste.