Thoreau observes that people often ridicule the customs and fashions of earlier generations while adopting contemporary ones with similar seriousness. His point is that changing styles do not necessarily indicate greater independence of thought. Each generation may believe it has moved beyond outdated conventions while remaining strongly influenced by the expectations of its own time.

In Walden, the remark forms part of Thoreau’s broader criticism of unnecessary consumption and social conformity. Clothing and fashion provide a visible example of how people can follow convention without examining whether it serves a genuine need. The word “religiously” is deliberately pointed, suggesting habitual or unquestioning adherence rather than considered judgement. The quote therefore highlights a recurring social pattern: fashions change, but the tendency to conform to prevailing standards can remain much the same.