The Slip-On Sneaker That Doesn’t Look Like One

As a polo player, I’ve long relied on Peter Millar polo shirts as my quiet advantage. They’re some of the few pieces in my closet that I can put through the ringer of riding horseback, getting covered in dust and sweat and god knows what else, and then show up to a post-chukker Champagne toast looking presentable. Beautiful buttons, crisp collars, a fit that’s neither too slim nor too loose—they’re a performance polo I feel like I can truly wear anywhere, and I’ve always gravitated towards pieces that can pull off that sleight of hand. My buddy and fellow New Englander, the model Garrett Neff has also lent his face to the brand at various times over the years. So when word reached me that Peter Millar was launching its new Odeon Sneaker, I paid attention. 

The Odeon feels like Peter Millar’s refined response to the viral slip-on knit sneakers which have taken the world by storm in recent years—I don’t even need to mention them by name, you know the ones. This isn’t that. So much of the casual sneaker market these days is either paper-thin minimal, or boastful, cartoonish and oversized. The Odeon avoids both extremes, striking a balance between sporty ease and polished versatility.

The Odeon distinguishes itself through elevated details. A reinforced heel cup makes them easy to slide on and off, and with or without socks, my Achilles remained unchafed and blister-free all day. The unlined upper is made from a blend of cotton, wool and performance synthetics, resulting in a material that feels noticeably thicker (yet just as breathable), and, frankly, more luxurious than its peers. The laces are there, but as more of a flourish than a necessity; the Odeon is designed to be slipped on and off without ceremony, which bodes well for active lifestyles. (Also, in 2025, who has time to tie their shoelaces anyway?)

Trying them on was what won me over. My foot tends toward the wider side, so the Odeon’s rounded toe box and padded heel truly enveloped my foot, creating a highly cushioned, all-encompassing fit—secure without being tight, cushioned without being marshmallowy. And not for nothing (though no one would know by looking), I did notice I stood about an inch taller when wearing them. That’s never a bad thing, especially when mounting a horse or ordering a martini across a crowded bar. It’s details like that—subtle, often unseen until you live in them—which make this sneaker truly wearable, and not just photogenic.

The versatility is mind boggling, too. I’ve been wearing mine with jeans—the blue variety at home, the white variety at polo and on Nantucket. When Fall arrives, I’ll be wearing them with khakis to dinner, with joggers on my next transatlantic red-eye, and for the long car ride to polo practice. The Odeon keeps up with wherever life takes you, never breaking its stride. Which, come to think of it, is what I’ve always valued about Peter Millar.