The Hermès Birkin bag has long been a must-have for celebrities, fashionistas, and those who can afford luxury. But what if there was an affordable alternative? Walmart appears to have the answer.
The ‘Walmart Birkin’ is making waves on social media
According to the New York Post, Walmart has launched a popular Birkin bag dupe that everyone is eager to get their hands on. The “Walmart Birkin” or “Wirkin” are the two nicknames coined for this budget-friendly alternative, which is priced between $78 and $102, per the Post. This starkly contrasts with the price of the authentic Birkin bag, which costs around $9,000 or more.
The latest fashion item has circulated on TikTok, with one content creator, Imani, telling everyone to purchase the affordable bag at Walmart.
“Ya’ll better come get ya’ll one,” Imani said in the one-minute clip. “Fake it ’til you make it.”
@nyasiaximani
What do TikTok users have to say about it?
The clip garnered hundreds of thousands of views, with other TikTok users stating they would purchase one, too.
“A Wermeś lol. Im going to check my local right now 💯😭,” one user wrote.
“I honestly have no idea if I’m wearing something ‘fake’ because I don’t keep up with luxury brands like that to know they did it first. If it’s cute and in my price range I’m buying it,” another wrote.
“PLEASE tell me what that bag is called in walmart’s system 😩 bout to get me a Wirkin bag,” a third user wrote.
The bag, also known as the “Walmès,” is on Walmart’s website for $79.99, but they are currently out of stock. A “notify me” tab allows consumers to input their email addresses to receive updates on when the bags are back in stock.
While the Walmart dupe offers an affordable option to those who cannot afford an authentic Birkin, critics are concerned that this could create a problem for the future of luxury items like handbags.
“Walmart‘s Birkin replica might offer a similar look at a low price, but as someone who stands firmly behind authenticity, I see it as part of a larger problem,” Michael Mack, a Las Vegas luxury reseller known as the Birkin matchmaker, told Newsweek.
“Imitation bags like this blur the lines and can ultimately undermine the craftsmanship and exclusivity that make iconic designs like the Birkin so special.”
