"It is a common observation, that the more solicitous any people are about dress, the more effeminate they are"

This quote by Karl Philipp Moritz suggests that there is a correlation in between a society's preoccupation with gown and its level of effeminacy. Simply put, the more a society focuses on clothing and look, the more likely it is to be defined by qualities traditionally associated with femininity. This could be analyzed as a criticism of societies that focus on fashion and physical appearance, suggesting that such societies are excessively concerned with superficial matters and lack the strength and courage of more manly societies. It might likewise be seen as a caution that a society that positions too much focus on dress and appearance may end up being excessively concerned with materialistic and shallow matters, and may do not have the strength and nerve of more masculine societies. Eventually, this quote works as a reminder that a society's focus on dress and appearance must be stabilized with other values and virtues.