The Hermès Birkin bag has long been a symbol of exclusivity and unattainable luxury. With prices starting at $10,000 and climbing to seven figures at auctions, the Birkin is as much a status symbol as it is a handbag. Recently, a new handbag, dubbed the “Walmart Birkin” or “Wirkin,” has gained attention for its resemblance to the high-end designer bag—available at a fraction of the price.
What Is the Walmart “Birkin”?
The “Wirkin” first gained traction on platforms like TikTok and Instagram in late 2024 amidst the Christmas and New Year celebrations. Sold by third-party vendors on Walmart’s website, the bag’s design features striking similarities to the Hermès Birkin, from its structured double handles, distinctive front flap, and metal turn-lock clasp to its classic trapezoidal shape and signature lock and key. Priced for as low as $78, it offers an aesthetic that’s hard to distinguish from the original—at least to the untrained eye.
The Walmart Birkin is no longer available on the retailer’s website, having sold out since it went viral after TikTok user @styledbykristi posted an unboxing video last December 20, which has garnered over 8.9 million views to date. The bag’s affordability and accessibility—compared to the Hermès Birkin’s steep price and elusive purchasing process—have made it a popular subject of discussion. Some users praised it as a clever way to achieve a luxury-inspired look, while others questioned the ethics and sustainability of dupe culture.
Netizens React to the Walmart Birkin
Netizens have shared a variety of perspectives on the viral “Wirkin.” Some celebrated its accessibility, while others raised broader questions about its implications.
Bethenny Frankel, a television personality and entrepreneur, shared her take on TikTok:
"A person who can't afford a Birkin, yes, could've gone to Chinatown or bought a bag on the gate but then they would seem fraudulent, like people would call them out... Walmart has given them entry... You're not fronting and you're not stunting. The intellectual property is another story... But this is basically the mob storming the castle saying, 'We're here too, b*tch, deal with it.'"
She added, "The people that are going to be pissed off about it are a**h*les. Because they're not interesting people, and flexing a bag is the most interesting thing about them."
One commenter responded to her video with humor: "The Walmart Birkin bag is called a Wirkin, and it’s for the Wirkin class."
Fashion critic and stylist Jesica Wagstaff (@jesicaelise) also joined the conversation on TikTok, asking followers why they bought or were considering the Walmart Birkin. Comments on her post offered a glimpse into the bag’s appeal:
"Haven’t bought it, but theoretically... a Walmart Birkin is like a test run. Do I actually like the style of the bag? Does it suit my lifestyle?"
"I love Hermès, but no way I'll ever spend that much on a bag! I’ll tell people proudly it’s a Walmart Birkin!"
"5 years ago I’d probably have bought it because I just wanted to look in the mirror and feel like I looked like all the wealthy stylish women I had pinned on Pinterest. When you're poor, the world makes you feel like chic is an impossibility."
"I get why people buy knock-offs... but for the same price, you can get a mid-tier luxury bag instead."
TikTok creator Michel Hirji (@michelhirji) weighed in, offering a nuanced take:
"If you like the Walmart Birkin, buy the Walmart Birkin. But don’t buy it just because you think that buying the Walmart Birkin is going to devalue the real Birkin and you’re somehow going to stick it to the rich people that have the real deal. I promise you, the ultra-wealthy do not care what you’re buying... If for whatever reason the Birkin is devalued, the wealthy will literally just find something else to spend their money on. They always do."
What’s your take on the viral 'Wirkin'? Would you buy the dupe or hold out for the real deal? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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