I’m guessing that the proportion of folks who shine their shoes on a regular basis has gone way down over the last 30 years. Society is much more at ease with casual dressing than they were when I grew up.
Polo Shirt, Sweatpants & Sketcher walking shoes at the airport is no longer that shocking. Sometimes even in church.
Other than work shoes, Sketchers (usually sockless) are about the only shoes I wear. Never with sweatpants though, usually with khakis and polo shirts. Now my father would wear his work shoes (usually black wingtips) and suit clothes 7 days a week. Even on Saturdays. His only concession would be removing the tie. That's how you knew it was the weekend.
Richard Nixon walking the beach reminds me of my father because that is exactly how he would dress on the beach!
Now when I was in the Marines, I would use Kiwi and torn up t-shirts to buff my boots and shoes to a glossy shine. I eventually bought a pair to keep in my locker only for inspections because I got tired of shining shoes all the time.
