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It's long been standard entertainment industry practice for creative types to dress down in meetings, perhaps because writers or directors can more easily accept the dismantling of their artistic visions when notes like, "Is there any way that the character of Miguel can be less, I don't know, Hispanic-y?" are delivered by someone with the authority conferred by a more expensive wardrobe. Then one day, a suit across the table secretly envied the casual look of the poor slob he was about to mind-rape, self-consciously showed up to work the next day wearing designer jeans and loafers without socks, and the next thing you know, everyone in California is wearing goddamn flip-flops everywhere they go—movie premieres, formerly dressy coke parties in the Hills, funerals, wherever—and within minutes we have Mass Adoption Of A Hollywood Trend. In today's NY Times, Sharon Waxman reports on the flip-floptimization of our world, with the requisite quote from a well-known producer-type who's seen the ultra-casual footwear out in the field:

"I was meeting with a director and a writer on a project, and they both were wearing flip-flops," said [leading Hollywood producer Donald] De Line, parking his pristine Mustang at the premiere party for "Superman Returns" at a Westwood theater. He was wearing Vans, shoes designed for skateboarders. He added: "I noticed, because that is definitely a new level of casual."

De Line, of course, will be humiliated by the mention that most of the surface area of his feet was covered by a canvas sneaker, even ones "designed for skateboarders," a telling detail that labels him a "square" among those willing to bare every snaking foot-vein and hangnail while conducting million-dollar business. An immediate makeover demonstrating next-level casualness is called for, with De Line showing up to his next meeting in nothing but a bathrobe, jock strap, and most crucially, feet completely bare but for a band-aid wrapped around his big toe.