Last week we told you about the crazy hype surrounding the “Wirkin” bag, Walmart’s less expensive version of the Birkin, the classic Hermès tote that has been beloved by the rich and famous for decades. Shoppers everywhere have been losing their minds over the budget-friendly version they say looks good enough to fool even the most fashion conscious folks around.
But while some are loving the opportunity to snag something that is sure to turn heads (even if they’re just trying to see if the bag is real or fake), others believe the believers are just pawns in another corporate scheme to line the pockets of the rich.
Don’t Come for us, but here are some of the most popular conspiracy theories surrounding the “Wirkin.”
Regular People Want to Stick it to the Rich
Why is the bag so popular? One theory is those online who love the idea of Walmart selling an affordable bag that looks so similar to the high-priced Birkin believe it’s the perfect way for everyday people to give a middle finger to elites who are purposely trying to price them out of the high fashion game.
Corporate Giant Preying on the Regular People
But TikTok user @duhamme says if you’re looking for luxury, a faux leather bag from Walmart ain’t it.
“I think everyone deserves simple luxuries,” she says in a December 24 post. “[But] a polyurethane bag is not a luxury.”
She goes on to say that people who think they’re buying the Walmart bag to stick it to the man aren’t keeping it real.
“This is not because people have some deep pursuit and love for fashion, because if you did, you’d go buy some random leather top handle bag that gives you that same quality and feel at a better price point,” she said. “People are buying this bag because it’s a signifier of wealth and it makes you feel as if you are closer to the upper echelon.”
TikToker @iamstarmagic doubles down on this sentiment, arguing that buying a bag from Walmart is not a flex but rather is helping to line the pockets of a multimillion-dollar corporation that has been criticized for predatory pricing and exploiting its workers.
“Instead of supporting Walmart, get it from a small business or some other country that isn’t crippling your own,” she says.
The Walmart Version is Trying to Drive Down the Value of the Birkin Bag
Some Birkin owners are big mad about the growing popularity of the Walmart dupe, claiming it will decrease the value of their real bags and decrease their social status at the same time. TikToker @herpergamy says that women who can afford the real deal believe those who are buying the dupes are infringing on their sacred space.
“The Walmart Birkin is an equalizer,” she says. “That’s really the main issue that so many women have, the ones who actually sprung for the real thing because men, from a distance can’t tell who is who.”
Hermès Is In On It
Another popular theory floating around on social media is that Hermès has been in on the “Wirkin” trend the whole time and is actually getting a gag out of the whole thing at consumers’ expense.
TikToker @naniamour_ proposes that the luxury brand is trying to get all the money and may have suggested selling the dupes to a major retailer like Walmart with the condition that their name not be included on the product – to protect the integrity of the Birkin, of course.
“I’m thinking that Hermes is like people are going to buy our fake bags anyway, let’s get a piece of the pie,” she says in a December 30 post.
TikTok creator @courtney_partyof5 agrees.
“The biggest reason I think that is because someone is like ‘How could Birkin let this copyright infringement knock off destroy their brand?’ and I think it’s because the bag is actually theirs and they’re making money on both ends,” she said.
Whatever you think about the theories, it seems like this bag is going to keep people talking for a while – or at least until the next trend comes a long.