Live at the Hermès Sample Sale: We're In!

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Today, destiny brings us face to face with one of New York City's most serious bargain hunts—the once-a-year, lock-up-the-kids Hermès sample sale. Racked is reporting live from the scene all morning. Buckle up.

10:27AM: "After an endless eon in the cold rain, the doors finally parted for our section of the line. We're in. Well, not quite—in an elevator. They're checking all bags and coats."

10:31AM: "Made it to the fourth floor—the goods! There's so much security here it's insane."

10:32AM: "Let's talk supply and prices. For women, plenty of lightweight tops and slacks. It's pricey—a short-sleeved shirt, which was $1,400, is marked down to $800. Belts are 40% off, limit two per customer. They also have a lot of scarves, which are really expensive but probably the highlight of the sale—regular $355, sale price $213. Small shoe selection for men and women, but it's not very exciting. And they have bags—but they're all canvas. Wait—I see one leather bag. They have some good messengers, though. And there's a little perfume section."

10:34AM: "For men, a lot of sweaters and button-downs. They have a really good tie selection—regular $160, marked down to $96. Limit 10 ties per customer. Easy to spend a grand on ties here."

10:35AM: "Aha, housewares, too—towels and bedding, and really colorful tabletop items, which are 70% off."

10:45AM: "Crucial update. I was checking the men's button-downs, and they're $196. In the women's section, the scarves are going fast. It's a feeding frenzy at the scarf section. That and men's ties. Everything else is so expensive."

11:00AM: "Retreat!" Click through for further coverage, photographic and otherwise...