The renowned Hermès Birkin bag has long been a target for imitators, but a specific knock-off sold at Walmart has gained such popularity that it’s completely sold out.

Walmart’s KAMUGO Genuine Leather Handbag for Women is drawing significant attention on social media due to its close likeness to the highly sought-after Birkin bags, which typically come with hefty price tags.

This bag, commonly referred to as the “Walmart Birkin,” is viewed as an affordable option compared to the original Hermès Birkin. However, the makers of this bag have not labeled it as a Birkin copy.

Here’s what you should know about the original Hermès Birkin and its Walmart counterpart.

What exactly is the ‘Walmart Birkin’ bag?

The so-called “Walmart Birkin,” officially listed as “KAMUGO Genuine Leather Handbags Purse for Women,” retails for between $78 and $102 and is available in three different styles and four colors: green, orange, blue, and iron gray. As of Monday, all styles were sold out online, and Walmart has yet to respond about potential restocks.

This bag, also known as the “Wirkin,” is described as a “large-capacity lychee pattern Kelly platinum bag,” boasting a “classic temperament with a noble European and American style,” according to the manufacturer’s description. It consists of genuine leather, with the outer layer crafted from cowhide. Similar to the authentic Birkin, it features a gold lock button, which the manufacturer states enhances the bag’s anti-theft security.

As of Monday morning, the bag boasts a customer rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars, and buyers have praised its quality and craftsmanship in reviews.

Birkin bags: Symbols of affluence

Named after actress and singer Jane Birkin, Hermès Birkin bags are emblematic of luxury and wealth, serving as fashion statements. These highly sought-after luxury items are not readily available for purchase and are typically not showcased in the brand’s retail outlets.

To acquire a Birkin, customers can’t simply walk into an Hermès store and buy one outright. Instead, they must be offered the chance to purchase by the brand. Customers often must buy other Hermès items like shoes, scarves, and jewelry to establish a relationship before being considered for the coveted Birkin.

According to Sotheby’s, Hermès boutiques receive only a limited number of Birkin bags every six months, and the styles are generally unknown until they arrive at the store.

Consequently, when a customer is selected to buy a Birkin, they do not get a choice in which bag to purchase; they can only buy the specific bag presented to them or wait for a different bag to be offered later.

As reported by British Vogue earlier this year, Hermès no longer maintains waiting lists. Instead, potential buyers are encouraged to visit in-store and seek guidance from Hermès sales professionals. The brand operates about 43 locations across the United States, per Reuters.

Additionally, Birkins are available through luxury resale platforms, though many may be pre-owned. When purchasing, it’s crucial to remain vigilant against fakes and only buy from trustworthy websites. Real Hermès Birkins are characterized by high-quality metal hardware, typically engraved with the “Hermès Paris” logo, along with superior leather that feels soft and has a natural shine, as noted by luxury retailer Madison Avenue Couture. Genuine Hermès bags also feature craft codes—usually a combination of eight letters and numbers—embossed inside the bag’s leather, with the first letter denoting the year of production and the rest indicating the artisan responsible for creating the bag.

What is the price of an authentic Birkin bag?

Hermès Birkin bags start at around $10,000, with some rare versions selling for over $500,000. The highest price ever for a Birkin bag at auction was for a “Diamond Himalaya Birkin,” which sold for over $450,000 at a Sotheby’s auction in 2022, as reported by CNN.

The premium pricing is due to Crafted with top-notch materials and designs, each bag boasts exceptional workmanship and is individually made in France. Due to their limited production, these bags offer a sense of rarity. Although Hermès hasn’t disclosed the exact manufacturing cost of a Birkin bag, analysts from the Wall Street Journal estimate that it takes about $1,000 for Hermès to produce one.