Is Shoe Shining Becoming a Lost Art?

I have always had a small soft spot for a well-shined pair of shoes. Maybe it is the quiet satisfaction of seeing dull leather come back to life or the rhythm of brushing that feels oddly grounding. When I look around today, I notice fewer people share that feeling. Shoe shining is fading and it is not hard to see why.

A Shift Toward Casual Footwear

The rise of trainers and casual footwear changed everything. I see it in offices, high streets and even in restaurants that once expected a bit of polish. People want comfort, speed and something that can be replaced without a second thought. Casual shoes do not call for much upkeep, which means the old weekend ritual with polish and brushes simply does not happen in most homes anymore. I used to keep a small box of supplies under my bed. Friends tell me they have never owned polish at all.

Remote Working and the Transformation of Workwear

Working from home pushed this trend even further. When more of the country sits at a kitchen table with a laptop, leather brogues stay in the wardrobe. I spent long stretches working remotely and noticed that I reached for slippers or trainers without thinking about it. Smart shoes became occasional rather than essential. This shift in work habits removed many of the daily moments where shoe shining once felt natural.

Casual workwear in offices that remain open also plays a part. Many workplaces relaxed dress codes to the point that polished leather no longer signals professionalism the way it once did. When the expectation fades, the habits fade with it.

A General Throwaway Culture

Another factor is the growing pull of disposable fashion. Shoes are cheap for many shoppers and when a pair scuffs or loses its shape, replacement feels easier than repair. I have caught myself falling into this mindset, even though I know the long game is to maintain the shoes I already own. Quality leather footwear lasts for years if cared for correctly. Without that care, it becomes just another item in the bin.

The decline in demand for shoe care products shows this shift clearly. Sales of shoe polish have dropped steadily and one of the most recognisable brands, Kiwi, has disappeared from UK shelves. That moment surprised me. Kiwi tins were everywhere when I was growing up. Seeing them vanish feels like a small cultural marker in the decline of this once common skill.

A Generation Growing Up Without the Ritual

Younger generations often do not learn these techniques at home. Many never saw a parent or grandparent bring out a brush and tin before a night out or a formal event. I remember watching my father polish his shoes before work and trying it for myself as a kid. Those little demonstrations mattered. Without them, the craft slips away quietly.

Shoe shining was never only about the shine. It taught patience, respect for belongings and the value of looking after what you own. Losing that habit removes a small but meaningful piece of daily discipline from life.

Finding the Craft Again

The good news is that the art is not completely lost. You can teach yourself shoe maintenance with patience and a few basic tools. I learned most of what I know from simple repetition and advice from older relatives.

Start with a soft cloth and a horsehair brush. Pick up a good quality cream or wax polish from a brand still operating in the UK. Clean the shoe first to remove dirt. Apply a small amount of polish with slow circles, letting the leather drink it in. Give the shoe time to rest, then brush it briskly to bring up a gentle shine. If you want that mirror finish, you can build it slowly with very thin layers of wax and a touch of water. The process is not complicated, although it rewards focus.

Regular conditioning matters too. Leather dries with time and weather. A nourishing cream once a month keeps it supple. I have revived shoes that looked close to retirement simply by being consistent with care.

Shops That Keep the Tradition Alive

You do not have to learn everything alone. Shoe repair shops still exist across the UK and many of them offer cleaning and restoration services. Timpson remains one of the most familiar names, and staff in their shops often know techniques passed down through generations. I have asked for advice more than once and walked away with practical tips that helped me keep a pair going for years.

These small workshops carry a piece of craft culture that the fast fashion world forgets. Visiting them feels like stepping into a slower rhythm where items are worth fixing rather than discarding. Their services can include deep cleaning, recolouring, resoling and polishing that goes far beyond what most of us do at home.

Why It Still Matters

I understand why shoe shining declined. Life is fast, expectations are looser and comfort wins. Still, I believe the practice is worth holding onto. It encourages care for your belongings rather than treating them as disposable. It creates a moment of calm that many of us miss in busy lives. A polished pair of shoes also sends a small message that you value how you present yourself.

I realise that not everyone wants to bring back old habits. Fashion will continue to shift and remote working is here to stay. Even so, keeping a few simple shoe maintenance skills alive feels like a quiet act of resisting the throwaway mindset. It reminds you that quality matters and that a bit of effort can stretch the life of something you already own.

A Craft Worth Saving

Shoe shining might not return to its former place in British culture, although the craft still deserves a future. If you have never tried it, pick up a brush and a tin and give it a go. The first shine will not be perfect, and that is fine. What matters is reconnecting with a small tradition that rewards patience and pride.

I keep practicing because the ritual grounds me. Each time I finish, I look at the result and feel a little spark of satisfaction. That feeling is worth passing on, even in a world of trainers and fast fashion.