"We're Not Uneducated Or Classless; We're Tired Of The Elitist Narrative": Here's How A Viral Dupe For The $400k Hermès Birkin Started A Larger Conversation Online

In recent weeks, a simple handbag has set the internet ablaze. It's the "Walmart Birkin," aka the "Wirkin," a dupe for the infamous Hermès Birkin, known for its exclusivity, high price tag, and being carried by celebrities like the Kardashians and Real Housewives.

If you've never heard of the Hermès Birkin, let me quickly bring you up to speed. The Birkin was first conceptualized in the early '80s, when style icon, actor, and singer Jane Birkin spoke to then-Hermès chairman Jean-Louis Dumas on a flight to London. When she suggested that Dumas make a Hermès bag that's "bigger than the Kelly but smaller than Serge’s suitcase," Dumas asked what that would look like. Jane then drew the first-ever sketch of the Birkin on a sick bag, and the rest is history.

Since its inception, the Birkin has become one of the most exclusive and coveted handbags on the luxury market. Hermès only produces a certain number of bags per year, and purchasing one directly from Hermès remains a lengthy and secretive process. Since you can't just go into a Hermès store and say, "One Birkin, please!" their resale value is INCREDIBLY high. While the price of each bag depends on many factors (like color, size, hardware, etc.), Sotheby's reported in 2024 that their most expensive Birkin sold at auction for $450,000. So yeah, these are some expensive handbags.

Considering all that, it makes sense that the Birkin has generally been reserved for celebrities and ultra-wealthy. That is until a few weeks ago...when some very convincing dupes sold through Walmart went mega-viral on TikTok.

One of the first videos sharing the Walmart Birkin (or "Wirkin") was from content creator @nyasiaximani, who actually found one of the dupes in-store. From there, thousands of people flocked to Walmart's website to try and nab one for themselves. Although both listings have since been pulled, the site sold two handbags similar to the Birkin: the "KAMUGO Genuine Leather Handbag For Women," and the "BESTSPR Genuine Handbag For Women." While they were still available, each bag ranged from around $60–$100, depending on size. Although it's no longer available via Walmart, from what I can tell, you can still purchase BESTSPR's version on TikTok shop.

Ironically, Walmart pulling the bags from its site has allowed the Wirkin to reach its own level of exclusivity. But for those who were actually able to get their hands on one, what do they think of their bags? Jessica, a 41-year-old teacher from Georgia, told BuzzFeed she purchased three different Wirkins (all KAMUGO models) while they were still available online, and is overall very happy with them. "I think the quality of the bags is pretty good. They are obviously not luxury bags, but they appear to be well-made. I have used all of the bags multiple times and have been able to hold up well thus far."

When asked why she thinks the Wirkin and other dupes gained such popularity so quickly, Jessica responded, "Because the original bags are out of reach for most people. They’re not only incredibly expensive, but consumers also are required to jump through hoops just to get the chance to be considered to buy one. Hermès has honestly never been on my radar. I do enjoy and own some luxury items, but the Hermès brand has never really appealed to me — especially after hearing how difficult they make it to purchase certain bags." In another video, Jessica shared the wear and tear of one of her Wirkins after one month of use:

@jessi.my / Via tiktok.com

Cynthia Rose, a 34-year-old consultant and former luxury content creator turned DIY content creator, took things a step further and did a side-by-side comparison with her newly-purchased Wirkin (the BESTSPRO model) and her authentic Hermès Birkin.

Cynthia told BuzzFeed that she was inspired to compare the two bags "for scientific purposes, especially since many people made exaggerated claims about the Wirkin without seeing it in person. For Example: 'You wish you could own a Real Hermès bag.' 'People will know if you're carrying a fake if they see you at Walmart.' 'If you don't fit the aesthetic [of a wealthy person], no one will believe you're carrying real Hermes.' Given this, I decided to give it a fair review and present it side by side so the internet can judge for itself."

In her comparison, Cynthia noted that the bags, at least aesthetically, are pretty similar. The main differences being the bottom shape, the feet on the bottom of the bags, and the edge-meet at the top of the bags. The Wirkin also has loops to accommodate a crossbody strap, which Birkins do not have. Speaking to BuzzFeed, Cynthia said that she purchased her Birkin through ReBag before transitioning to DIY content, and that it cost "as much as my new deck. ... I have had it for about two years. However, I am considering liquidation, as I need new windows." Meanwhile, for the Wirkin, "I paid $89."

When asked about her own thoughts on the quality of her Birkin vs. her Wirkin, Cynthia said, "The Birkin is nice in terms of quality, but it is closely comparable to several other good contemporary and luxury brands. Ultimately, it is just a bag constructed of 100% leather, featuring a few hand-stitched areas using a thread dipped in beeswax. Harvested from Swiss bees with blue eyes, trust funds, and...(I am too unserious for this)."

She continued, "The Wirkin, on the other hand, appears to be made of pressed leather, which is not necessarily a drawback; this material is commonly used in luxury manufacturing, even by brands like Chanel. I'm not a massive fan of the PU interior, but a cobbler can replace it with fabric or another material if it wears out. Overall, the Wirkin is similar in style, function, and wearability to the Birkin. The Wirkin bag seems appropriately priced, considering the construction and materials used in its design."

Although she purchased her Birkin secondhand, Cynthia noted that she thinks the Hermès buying process is a "tired trope," and the online frenzy around the Wirkin is "a symbol of a revolutionary change in the luxury market. Consumers are pushing back against big conglomerates who have been selling them 'dreams' then excluding them from the party. ... The 'Wirkin' class got the message. We're not uneducated or classless; we're tired of the elitist narrative and choosing to join the fashion party on our terms."

When asked what people should consider when purchasing a handbag (Wirkin, Birkin, or otherwise), Cynthia said, "Consider investing in a bag that will last and evolve with you as your life changes. Aim for designs made from quality materials and produced with fair labor practices. I always prefer to shop for pre-loved bags. However, if I'm in the market for something new, I'm really impressed by the styles and craftsmanship coming from small Black-owned and women-owned businesses today." In closing, Cynthia summed it up with: "Viva la Wirkin."

After speaking with Jessica and Cynthia, I wanted to dig deeper into both the Birkin and the Wirkin from a craftsmanship perspective, so I reached out to Tanner Leatherstein, a professional leather craftsman, content creator, and the owner of Pegai, an artisan leather brand. Tanner has been in the leather industry since childhood — his family owned a leather tannery in Turkey — and has spent the last few years building a following online for his videos deconstructing designer purses and evaluating their cost vs. quality.

When discussing Hermès and the Birkin, Tanner echoed Cynthia's sentiment about the online frenzy over the Wirkin making a statement against luxury brands. "There’s definitely a growing trend, especially among Gen Z, to embrace dupes and view them as a way to push back against luxury brands that have long sold expensive products many feel aren’t particularly special. It’s almost like a form of rebellion — saying, 'If big brands can overcharge us, we can outsmart them with affordable alternatives.' This shift in mindset has also made owning dupes feel less taboo and, in some cases, even something to flaunt on social media. It’s trendy, and for many, it’s a statement."

@tanner.leatherstein / Via tiktok.com

"That said," he continued, "Hermès operates in a completely different space. Its exclusivity isn’t just about luxury; it’s about access. Owning a Birkin isn’t only about having the bag — it’s about qualifying to be offered one, which taps into a deeper psychological appeal of status and worthiness. This 'Hermès game' creates a sense of achievement and exclusivity that keeps its appeal intact, regardless of trends around dupes. While the rise of dupes could pose a challenge for other luxury brands that lack Hermès’s exclusivity and emotional pull, Hermès appears largely immune. Its customer base isn’t just buying a product — they’re buying into a status symbol and an experience. This explains why Hermès continues to perform well even as other luxury brands face declining sales."

Commenting on the Birkin's overall quality, Tanner said, "Hermès's Birkin is undeniably a sophisticated and iconic bag. It’s often crafted from high-quality leathers like Togo and Clemence — materials I deeply respect. Hermès consistently strikes a balance between creating a protective, fashion-forward finish while preserving the natural, organic patterns of leather, showcasing the rarity and quality of the materials they source."

@tanner.leatherstein / Via tiktok.com

"What sets the Birkin apart is its craftsmanship," Tanner continued. "Many feature partial hand-stitching using the saddle-stitch method, a technique that’s virtually unmatched by other luxury brands at this scale. Some special editions are even fully saddle-stitched, making them exceptionally rare and valuable. In terms of quality and craftsmanship, I view the Birkin as one of the few luxury bags that truly justify their high price tag. While the exclusivity factor is largely engineered through Hermès’s marketing strategies, the Birkin still holds its value better than most luxury bags and is likely the most worthwhile investment in that price range."

Although Tanner hasn't had the opportunity to deconstruct a Birkin (yet), he has deconstructed other Hermès products and noticed that "while the Birkins feature exceptional craftsmanship, many other Hermès items — like their belts — are machine-made, similar to products from Louis Vuitton. These items are still priced at a premium, but they’re far more profitable for the brand and lack the craftsmanship that defines Hermès’s more exclusive pieces." And, "These products often serve as stepping stones, allowing customers to qualify for more exclusive items like the Birkin, but they’re not as special as the bags themselves."

Tanner also shared his professional opinion on the Wirkin and its quality (without deconstructing one): "From what I’ve heard, the bag is priced at around $80, which is incredibly low for any leather bag. While it’s technically possible to produce a bag of that complexity for such a price — especially in China — it would likely require cutting corners on material quality and craftsmanship. Even at that price, factoring in shipping, Walmart’s commissions, and marketing costs, it’s hard to imagine it being profitable without sacrificing quality significantly. Visually, it may resemble a Hermès bag, but that doesn’t say much about the quality or durability. When bags are made at such low costs, it often comes at the expense of ethical practices, worker conditions, and environmental impact."

"So while the dupe may appear fashionable at a glance, I’d encourage buyers to think about what goes into making such an inexpensive product and whether they’re comfortable supporting those practices. That said, I’d love to inspect one myself and provide a more detailed review if I get the chance," he concluded.

Lastly, when asked what he thinks people should consider when shopping for handbags or leather goods — designer brand or not — Tanner told BuzzFeed, "Leather is a sensory experience, and you don’t need to be an expert to evaluate it. Start by trusting your senses — your hands, eyes, and nose. Relax and engage with the material. Good leather has a natural, earthy vibe that feels alive. High-quality, minimally processed leather often has a unique, chaotic grain pattern similar to fingerprints — where no two areas look exactly the same. Uniform patterns, on the other hand, may indicate lower-quality leather that’s been overly treated or standardized." He also advised paying attention to scent, labels and descriptions, stitching, edge finishing, and hardware. "Compare the details against the price and decide if the bag feels worth the cost."

Moral of the story: When buying a handbag — Birkin, Wirkin, or anything else — make sure it's an informed decision that fits your lifestyle and values. You can follow Tanner and Jessica to see more of their handbag content, and Cynthia to see more of her DIY content.

Would you purchase a Birkin or Wirkin? Share your thoughts in the comments.