The Roger Vivier Sample Sale Delivers With Plenty of Signature Buckle Shoes

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After more than two hours of mind-numbing cold, we made it into the Roger Vivier sample sale about 30 minutes after the doors opened—after checking our coats, bags, cell phones (read: no photos), and sanity—and sales associates were quick to tell everyone who entered that there's a ten-pair purchase limit and there won't be any restocking. In other words? Get here soon if you're looking for deeply discounted high-end heels.

On the left side of the room are simple pumps, embellished heels, stiletto boots, and a "last-call" table at the back with unique pairs in single sizes. Most shoppers were crowded into the middle area, which is where you'll find sandals, strappy heels, and the signature shoes—the Belle Jour, the Belle Nuit, the Belle Vivier, plus flats, pumps, chunky and stilletto heels, and wedges, all adorned with buckles.

Pricing is as follows: Your basic pump with a three-inch heels is $250. From the signature series, flats and low chunky heels are $330, while heels are $360. Strappy heels, stiletto, and all other open-toe shoes without a buckle (they are literally labeled "other shoes") are also $360. Both plain chunky-heeled and plain stiletto booties are $400, but prices go up to $600—$800 for bedazzled or more intricate ones.

Some of our favorite pairs included a hot pink pump that looked like it was straight out of Barbie's closet, an open-toe stiletto bootie covered in dyed fur (so soft!) for $1,000, and adorable kid's buckle shoes for $200.

Size-wise, this sale is a gold mine for anyone who's sample size 37. 38s, 39s, and 40s were frequent as well, and a few 41st were in the mix, too (36s had largely been claimed by VIP shoppers who were let in beginning at 8:30am). If your feet are any larger, be prepared for a sales associate to dash your dreams: "No, we only have 40s left" was an oft-heard reply.

If you are smaller than a 42 but can't find your size in a particular style, you might want to stick around to see if the shoppers trying on their closely-guarded piles of upwards of a dozen pairs of shoes discard what you're looking for. Hey, you never know.

Along the right-hand side of the room and back wall were the accessories, including teensy coin purses ($100), wallets ($150), belts ($150), small clutches and shoulder bags ($550 with chain straps, up to $800 for leather straps), and big shoulder bags ($800). This morning's customers seemed to be interested in the smaller items—big bags were not a big draw—that were next to a table of about 30 pairs of "evening shoes."

When we left around 11:30, there was still a line of 50 or so shoppers waiting to get in—who would occasionally get cut by a VIP shopper sauntering by—and there's a strict one-in, one-out policy at the door. If you're thinking of stopping by during your (extended) lunch break, bring extra layers in case it starts snowing. See the full sale hours below.

Friday, March 20th through Monday, March 23rd. Fri 10am—7pm, Sat—Sun 9am—6:30pm, Mon 9am—5pm.