Rain Won't Come Between Diptyque Diehards and Their Candles

Racked is no longer publishing. Thank you to everyone who read our work over the years. The archives will remain available here; for new stories, head over to Vox.com, where our staff is covering consumer culture for The Goods by Vox. You can also see what we’re up to by signing up here.

9:04am: I've stood in line for H&M collabs, to see Miley Cyrus, and now to buy candles. I'm so excited!

9:08am: The line starts at Dey Street and wraps around the block to Cortlandt Street. I'd say there are about 80 to 90 folks in line ahead of me.

9:12am: I witness my first (last?) act of kindness. A woman offers to get me coffee. I decline, but hold her spot for her.

9:13am: Turns out she's a Racked reader! Per our earlier reports she was expecting much worse, so I guess that's a good sign?

9:17am: My first "What are you waiting in line for?" question!

9:20am: As it turns out, some people actually just want to go to Century 21, which is already open.

9:20am: It's cold and rainy, so if you find a Good Samaritan, I'd try to dip into the store for a quick warmup/bathroom break.

9:25am: Professional line waiters are here! Apparently the first person in line was paid $65 to wait here since 6:30am.

9:28am: I'd say there are about 20 to 30 people ahead of me in line right now.

9:30am: OMG there's a pregnant woman a few spots ahead! So far she has not used her with-child status to skip the line, and I respect her for that.

9:33am: Three minuted past 9:30 and we're moving! Only about three feet, but I'll take it.

9:40am: "These must be some good-ass candles." Yes sir, they are.

9:47am: This time we moved approximately three paces.

9:50am: Moving! Made it around the corner. The first corner, that is.

10:03am: The pregnant woman just left the line! Or is she trying to use her with-child status?

10:08am: Three more paces!

10:11am: People are emerging from the sale. There's still a lot of stuff left!

10:20am: So, the line looks long but it's slightly deceiving. There are lots of gaps to keep the entrances clear, and the line on Dey Street proper is only 10 deep.

10:25am: Pregnant woman is back! She went inside to use the bathroom. They offered to let her wait inside, but wouldn't let her go into the sale.

10:32am: It's officially one hour after start time and I have no clue when I'm getting in.

10:45am: I'm currently right at the point where the line breaks to make room for the entrance. The security guard is only letting a few people cross at a time.

10:49am: Three people this time, but I'm one of them!

11:00am: Small consolation prize: there's a crapload of people behind me! The line is wrapping around to where I started at the Cortlandt Street entrance, and I'd say there are at least 80 people behind me.

11:06am: I can't feel my toes. But Shania Twain just announced a new world tour! I have things to live for now. I will make it through this line alive.

11:15am: Progress! I've made it inside the official C21 ropes!

11:21am: I can see a different corner! This must be how George Michael felt.

11:23am: So. Freaking. Close.

11:30am: Oh my god. He let one person in. This is unacceptable.

11:42am: It looks like they're working with a one in/one out system. It's gonna be a long morning, folks!

11:58am: He let two people in this time! There are now 10 people ahead of me. This is the finish line.

12:05am: They're handing out free Red Bull! That stuff usually makes me feel bloated but today I'll take it.

12:09am: I made it inside! But that's about it. I'm being held from the sale until more people leave.

12:13am: And I made it up! Three hours and 10 minutes later.

Stay tuned for a report on what's left at the sale.