The Haute Spot

One of our good friends here at The Haute Spot happens to be a City of Miami Police Officer. Luckily for us, he writes our tickets off. Luckily for you, he told us how to get out of ticket. You’re lucky we love you because this is some good information.

Tickets are nasty. Not only are you paying a fine, but they give you points which increase your insurance. But if you drive like a red-blooded man, chances are you’re gonna get one. So here’s what you do according to our cop.

If you don't have tits, then here's what you do..

1.) Turn off the car, turn on the interior lights, lower windows (back ones too if you have tints), and then keep your hands on the steering wheel

Cops have a stressful job. They don’t only deal with nice people like you and I, but the majority of their calls are to crazies. Help remove the tension from the situation by showing that you are not going to run, are a rational human being, and understand the severity of the circumstances.

2.) Submit

Every day cops deal with people that argue, fight, and question their authority. Don’t be that guy.

You ever see a submissive dog roll on it’s back to show it’s belly? Be that dog.

Swallow your pride and things will go much smoother for you. So be polite, do exactly what the officer says, and don’t plead your case until the officer gives you an opportunity to.

3.) Charm the Officer

When it boils down to it. Cops are human beings. They want the same things everyone else does. To be appreciated, respected and sympathized with. You show them all three, and you might just a warning.

But we at The Haute Spot don’t work on “might,” we like sure things. So like we always do- we have given you a script on exactly what to say:

Officer: Do you know why I pulled you over today?

You: (Say this quickly, and don’t let the officer interrupt you until you finish) Yes I do officer, and I completely apologize. If you want to give me a ticket I completely understand, because you are just doing your job, and guys like you keep the bad guys off the street.

Someones heart just melted. Stonewall Jackson has become Little Bo Peep. You have just given the officer everything he could’ve asked for: appreciation, respect, and sympathy. Nine times out of ten, the officer will go back to his car check for warrants. If you’ve got a clean record, he will most likely let you get off with a warning.  Congratulations. No need to thank us.

Now what happens if he still gives you a ticket…

Chances are if he goes to his car before you can plead your case, he’s coming back with the ticket. So don’t let him leave without asking to speak to him. But sometimes, it’s just out of your control. While there’s technically no “quota,” they still get pressure to write a certain amount of tickets. Or the officer may just be having a bad day.

Regardless, you need to protect yourself.

Notice our wording. We never actually admitted to anything. We just admitted to doing something wrong, and apologized.

This is key because admission makes it very difficult to fight the ticket in court. If he hands you a ticket for speeding, act shocked.

YOU: Speeding? I thought this was for my broken taillight (assuming you DON’T have a broken taillight)

Then you can just go on following the advice from our friends at lifehacker

Just a few more things:

1.) Make your case, but continue to be nice. You want the officer to forget you so he’s less likely to show in court- which is an automatic dismissal of the case for you.

2.) Don’t hire a traffic lawyer. Show up yourself. Traffic lawyers are sweat shops. They have so many cases they rarely do anything more then file paperwork for you, and hardly get anything done that you can’t do yourself.

Plus it gives the impression that you don’t care about the ticket, and are probably guilty. Showing up yourself- in a suit- shows personal attention and a perceived innocence, because you care so much about the ticket.

3.) Lastly, don’t forget the dates. The pre-trial and the actual trial. I know it seems basic, but it’s happened before. Mark you calendar and show up on time. If you don’t show up, you’re automatically guilty, so you have to pay the fine and all the points and insurance increases that come with it.

Good Luck and Happy Hunting

Popularity: 8% [?]

One of the glaring differences we have noticed, in not only the tastes, but the inquisitions of men’s style have been the curiosities of the technical aspect of men’s fashion. Maybe it’s men’s carnal nature to understand how things works, how they are put together, and the artisanship that is required for completion, but men seem to have a deeper bond with the articles they purchase then women.

Bespoke Shoe Artisan

Women appreciate fashion for how it makes them look, the perceived social status associated with certain brands, and whether or not they received a bargain, among other things, but they are rarely interested in the craftsmanship of the pieces.

Men, on the other hand, in circles of high-end luxury, want to know everything about the piece they are buying. They are not merely buying a piece of jewelry that is “in style” this season, they are buying an heirloom that will last generations. They do not just purchase shoes for tonight’s party, they buy investments that will last them a lifetime.

Bespoke Suit Construction

If that wasn’t the case then videos explaining how to Assemble an AP Royal Oak Grande Complication wouldn’t interest us, shoe shine events wouldn’t be a success, and tailors wouldn’t be in such high demand.

It might be a little unnecessary to be so heavily invested in ones style, but we believe any investment of this magnitude is worth this level of attention.

Breguet Grande Complication (Marie Antoinette Tribute)

We wouldn’t have it any other way.

[Inspiration]

Popularity: 20% [?]

Everybody knows one of the cardinal rules of fashion: your belt should match your shoes. And while this rule will never steer you wrong, it is important to know when it O.K. to break it  (for casual outfits). It is also just as important to know when to follow it religiously: In the office, at formal events, and working on the road, following this rule extends beyond the simple matching belt and shoe combo. Your leathers from head to toe should match. Even the metals on your accoutrements should share a similar hue. This level of detail should not be overlooked, and can honestly make the difference between looking like Cary Grant or a Car Salesman. We will explore several combinations of metals and leather patina and explain the function of all of them.

Black Leather with Silver Accents

Your bread and butter

Black leather with silver accents. The quintessential leather/metal combo. Chances are you already have this look covered. This collection will cover everything from conservative days at the office, to weddings, to anchoring your jeans and blazer combo. Extremely versatile and nearly foolproof.

The black and silver collection may be nearly foolproof, but somehow some guys still manage to screw it up. The one mistake, you can make, in this particular collection, is not recognizing the level of formality a particular piece has, and failing to stick to the same family. This goes beyond wearing a silver banded watch with your tuxedo (always wear a leather banded watch), but wearing rubber soled shoes with a suit, an athletic watch with your blazer, or a jean belt with your slacks. These are all mistakes-that while not incredibly important, prevent your outfit from becoming truly world class.

Porsche Design Cufflinks $540: Cufflinks exude power and class. Even if you don’t have the corner office yet doesn’t mean you can’t dress like you do.

Cole Haan Attache $775: Keep your dad’s briefcase at home. Your attache should be slim, and only carry the essentials.

Piaget Watch $12,000: Cufflinks and a Brietling are too much. Keep your watch subtle and elegant.

Salvatorre Ferragamo Shoes $550: If you don’t have a pair of Italian leather shoes, go buy a pair now. We mean it.

Persol Sunglasses $360: No need for a gaudy brand slapped on the side, keep it classic.

Calvin Klein Belt $325: High quality leather with a simple buckle that will never go out of fashion

Church’s Breast Pocket Wallet $320: Keep the bulge out of your pants, and go with this much more formal breast pocket wallet

Black Rubber with Silver Accents: Casual Edition

For Jeans and Blazer Days

If you’re lucky enough to work in a place that allows jeans, then tone your formality down a notch. Swap leather for rubber. This look implies that no one can tell you how to dress, because chances are– you’re the boss. That you park an Alfa Romeo, and not that sedan you actually drive. Subdued, but elegant, this collection is as rugged as it is refined.

Banana Republic Shoes $158: Not only are rubber soled shoes more comfortable, they look more casual too.

Cartier Santos Watch $5,900: The ultimate sport watch. The rubber strap completes the theme of this look.

Fabien Baron Sunglasses $375: Jeans? and Aviators? Who is this guy?

Louis Vuitton Messenger Bag $1500: Swap the briefcase for the shoulder bag and don’t look back

Dior Key Ring $165: Something has to hold your car keys right?

Church’s Belt $165: A little thicker of a belt to prevent your jeans from rolling down

Ermenigildo Zegna Case $275: Yeah. Just because.

Gold with Brown Leather

For the classiest of gentlemen

When we were younger, and obviously much more naive, we avoided gold like the plague. Considering it too gaudy, we now recognize it’s timeless appeal and it’s synonymous nature with class. Other then black leather with silver accents, no other look demands more respect. Some may even argue that this collection demands even more respect (us).

It is a slightly more difficult collection to complete as your hues of leather may vary, gold is a little more expensive than silver, and simply the pieces are harder to come by- but we believe that once complete, no collection looks better with a navy suit (the staple of a man’s wardrobe).

Prada Briefcase $1,900: Make sure that it cuts slim, and only holds your essentials. You want to make it seem like you bring some work home, not bring work to home.

Hermes Belt $600: Cut slim for your flat front pants, and anchored solid with that beautiful buckle.

Prada Aviators $270: Wire rimmed and horn accented. These puppies make anyone look like a movie star.

Constantin Durmont Skeleton Watch $3,700: You don’t own this watch. You merely hold onto it for the next generation.

Ferragamo Shoes $550: The high vamp on this shoe makes it look like a demi-boot. The gold accent doesn’t hurt either.

Mont Blanc Cufflinks $190: For the real power players in your office.

Silver with Chocolate Brown Leather

For the man on the go

If you work on the road, or travel often, this collection is calling your name. The ultimate paradox, classic yet casual- brown leather with silver accents. It remembers that this country wasn’t built by men wearing suits, and rebelliously call out to this time past. Unpretentious. Unassuming. This look shows that if you are waiting for something to turn up, you should start with your shirt sleeves.

Blinde Sunglasses $425: Wire frames match the on-the-go mentality of this collection

Rolex Watch $4,400: The tie-free look should come with an equally casual looking watch

Calvin Klein Attache $650: Matches your shoes chocolate brown and the pebbled leather borrows from the cowboy that inspired this look

Tag Heuer Cell Phone $4,565: Tag over values it’s brand. Don’t buy this overly expensive piece of equipment- we just couldn’t photoshop this out of the picture.

Want Les Credit Card Holder $115: Cash in your breast pocket, cards in your back.

Gucci Shoes $595: Wear them in but keep them shined. Wrinkles look good.

Tod’s Billfold $245: Once again, yeah. Just because.

Camel Leather with Silver Accents

European Elegance

If chocolate brown leather with silver accents is unpretentious, then camel leather says “Money is no object.” Wear this collection wisely because very few men have a single piece in camel leather, let alone a whole matching outfit- and once you do, you will be pegged as a fashion forward man forever. Worn with a charcoal, navy, or shark skin suit, this look exudes the utmost in modern luxury.

John Varvatos Shoes $395: It always starts with the shoes

Delvaux Folio $1,756: The attache that will bring this look together, once again cut as slim as your suit.

Goyard at Barney’s Wallet $515: Pulling out a camel colored wallet might be overkill. That’s why you’re gonna do it.

Gucci Watch $1.895: If your going for a look that says money is no object then an alligator banded watch is only appropriate

Belt, $550, by J.M. Weston. Sunglasses, $350, by Cutler and Gross. Card Case, $190, by Valextra at Barneys New York, Paul Stuart Clip $78

Feel free to mix and match to your heart’s desire. Build your collection slowly, and you will be ready to go for any occasion.

Popularity: 50% [?]

Gilt Groupe is no stranger to discounting luxury brands. They sell Gucci, Burberry, Polo, Louis Vuitton, and every other luxury brand at drastically reduced prices. The only problem is that Membership is very limited, and you must be invited by a current member. You’re lucky we love you guys because The Haute Spot has secured an exclusive arrangement for all our readers to sign up,

Sign up here

Registration is free, they don’t spam your inbox with emails, and the deals inside feel like you’re robbing someone. The site even feels like a black market- dark, spooky, and filled with rock bottom prices, exclusive membership just adds to the allure. Check it out- you won’t regret it.

A. Testoni Italian Bench Made Cognac Oxford -Regular Price $1,830 Sale Price $330

They even have stuff for the home, women, and children.

Sign up here

Popularity: 47% [?]

It seems like advertisers are recognizing a new era of masculine identity. Long gone is the mass appeal of shows like “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy,” and instead have focused on the resurgence of rugged outback. America has traded in its idolizations from the boyish Spiderman, to the lumberjack Wolverine.

Paul Walker to Jason Stratham.

This subtle shift in culture over the past couple of years is being reflected in everyday culture, most notably how advertisers try and target the male demographic.

Old Spice has come out with commercials showing wimps turning into men

Mitchum Man has used a clever campaign littered with matching, borderline sexist, slogans like: “If they look real enough, you’re a Mitchum Man,” “If you still order your coffee Small, Medium, or Large, you’re a Mitchum Man,” “If your socks kind of match, you’re a Mitchum Man.”

Typical Mitchum Man Ad

One shift that has been particularly pronounced has been liquor commercials. Grey Goose commercials showing scantily clad women partying have been replaced by Ketel One commercials emphasizing male bonding. A girl dancing in a club for Beck’s, to the “Most Interesting Man in the World.” In fact, the majority of new commercials coming from liquor distributors have not featured women at all. They’ve centered around the relationships men have with their friends, their fathers, and their ego.

So without further ado the Top 5 Liquor commercials of this era:

5.)

A father-son relationship emblazoned.  Can’t get better then that. We’ll excuse the poetry.

4.)

Although this commercial breaks the mold, and does have women in it, the focus is on being a gentlemen, and not being a pig. We like the simplicity, admiration, and the subtle plug for drinking responsibly. Very well done.

3.)

You really have to watch this one twice, because the jazz overpowers the message. “It took him 12 years to get the gig in this joint, and now he’s been headlining for 25″ We love the mentor, protege, relationship in this one. Truly phenomenal.

2.)

We have shivers down our spine.

1.)

A little predictable we know, and beer is technically not liquor, but you can’t deny the alarming success of this campaign. He exudes masculinity, and probably has never even heard of the term metrosexual. It captures the essence the advertisers were trying to employ perfectly. Blends the perfect amount of humor and message. It is for this reason, we consider “The Most Interesting Man in the World,” the top liquor commercial of this era.

Feel like we’re missing a commercial? Let us know, we’d love to keep this list updated.

Popularity: 47% [?]