More than 2,000 shoppers thronged Knightsbridge over the weekend as men queued for up to 12 hours outside the Sellier department store in London to buy luxury handbags for their partners.
The massive turnout for the major sale on Saturday and Sunday, October 26 and 27, saw bargain hunters line up across several streets in the affluent central London district.
Shoppers gathered for the rare opportunity to purchase luxury handbags from premier designer brands including Hermès, Dior, and Louis Vuitton for 2,500 pounds sterling.
While many women joined the queue themselves, several men held places in line overnight at the request of their wives and girlfriends.
Overnight queue for luxury bags
One husband waited in the crowd from 11:30 p.m. on Saturday night until his wife arrived just minutes before the store opened. She explained that her husband had been waiting since half past ten, adding that she stepped out of her car to take his place and called him the best husband.
Another London resident arrived at 9:00 p.m. to secure a gift for his partner. He explained that his wife had sent him a photograph of a Chanel handbag she really liked, motivating him to wait through the night even though he did not know the exact model name of the bag.
Knightsbridge is one of London's most famous shopping areas, known globally for its high-end boutiques and prestigious retail destinations near Hyde Park. Sellier is a prominent luxury retailer in the district, specializing in curated designer fashion, pre-owned luxury goods, and rare handbags.
French fashion houses Hermès, Dior, Louis Vuitton, and Chanel are among the most famous names in global luxury fashion. Their handbags are renowned for high resale value, with iconic models often subject to long waiting lists or steep price tags on the primary retail market.
Divided online debate
Reports and reader comments published on the Daily Mail website revealed a sharp divide among members of the public reacting to the men's actions.
Critical commenters questioned whether women dreaming of designer handbags or husbands lining up for them were sillier. Some critics called the men henpecked and foolish, arguing that they should have spent their time on something more useful.
Other commentators remarked that the shoppers simply had too much time and money available.
However, several readers expressed admiration for the men, describing them as wonderful partners, hoping the effort was worth it, and noting that it was positive if they could afford the purchases.
