As good to be out of the world as out of the fashion.

The saying exaggerates the social force of fashion: being unfashionable is portrayed as almost equivalent to being absent from society altogether, not literally to death or total exclusion. It expresses how strongly conformity to current styles can affect whether someone feels noticed, accepted, or relevant.

It may voice anxiety about status, or ironically criticize a society that treats changing fashions as a condition of belonging. Its deliberately extreme comparison suggests that the pursuit of being current can make superficial approval seem more important than independent judgment.

Use it when commenting, often wryly, on pressure to follow current styles, tastes, or social trends. It suits discussion of conspicuous conformity or fear of seeming dated, rather than a literal claim about exclusion from life.