Speaking to a couple of the (very few) women waiting in the queue, they told me that those nearest the front had been waiting since the afternoon the day before. That's when the organisers start taking down names for a roll call (which I assume means toilet and food breaks). While you could leave your space, you had to be there for the roll calls that took place at 9 p.m., 12 a.m., and 6 a.m. If you weren't back in your position at those times, you would have to start queuing all over again.
The women I spoke to said that they had arrived yesterday afternoon and were originally 300th in the queue, but thanks to people not making it back for the roll call, they should have now been 200th. That hadn't happened, they said, because people were pushing in. Remember, this is all before they had even gotten inside to shop.
When I asked about what they were keen to buy, they replied that they want the classic box T-shirt, but accessories are also great, as you don't need to worry about finding a specific size. With the queue moving, I left them to it. If they don't manage to buy anything, they can try to buy it on eBay, where the brand has a "flourishing" second market.
Next up, see the 15 most amazing things that have arrived in time for payday.
