Walmart’s Birkin Lookalike Takes Over the Internet

Walmart have disrupted the luxury fashion world with their viral "Wirkin" bag, a budget-friendly dupe of Hermès' iconic Birkin. 

 

Already, the lookalike has become a social media sensation, sparking debates between fashionistas celebrating its affordability and luxury purists decrying it as fast fashion sacrilege.

Walmart’s Birkin bag look-alike is nicknamed the “Wirkin”. As one TikTok user wrote “The Walmart Birkin bag is called a Wirkin and it’s for the Wirkin class”. 

The Birkin lookalike that has gained traction sells for as little as $78, depending on size and color. Kamugo, the maker of one Wirkin, say the purse is made with genuine cowhide leather but uses synthetic leather inside of the bag. 

Kamugo aren’t the only brand to take a shot at Birkin dupes – BESTSPR, YMTQ and Judy are a few other brands listed on Walmart’s site that sell similar totes.  

While Hermès' handcrafted Birkins cost thousands and require patience to acquire, Walmart’s accessible alternative has earned a cult following, despite being sold out online. 

As the debate rages on, one thing is certain: the “Wirkin” is giving high fashion a run for its money, one Walmart cart at a time.

 

Hermès ain’t the only brand having their products duplicated – Stanley water bottles, Skims bodysuits and Lululemon leggings are among pricey brands facing competition from affordable lookalikes. 

“Dupes”, which are less expensive alternatives to household name brands without tacking on fake logos (meaning the item isn’t considered counterfeit, despite marked similarities to pricier originals), have racked up more attention online in recent years. 

Steven Moy, chief client officer at luxury consultant G & Co., said dupes are inevitable. It’s reminiscent of how automakers Toyota and Honda received pushback for their luxury models, Lexus and Acura. 

Some consumers have waited years for a Birkin bag, he said. Moy added that wealthy consumers, who are loyal to luxury brands like Hermès, won’t stop shopping because of these duplicates. 

And some brands, like Lululemon, have hit back at dupes. The athleisure brand hosted a “dupe swap” in Los Angeles, USA, promising its black Align High Rise Pant 25” in exchange for a duplicate pair. 

Social media users have questioned whether buying a look-alike makes much sense, with one TikTok user saying “wouldn’t buy a fake one because I don’t even care to have a real one”. 

The dupe manufacturers often operate without much transparency, and many brands don’t have a clear store origin. Kamugo, for example, don’t appear to have a website. 

Moy says accessories like the Wirkin and fast-fashion companies make luxury accessible, especially for younger crowds who may eventually shop at luxury brands.