Walmart pulled the knockoff Birkin, but it’s not saying much about it. A few weeks ago, Walmart started selling what quickly became the most talked about designer fashion item. Aside from the fact that’s a thing you don’t ever expect to hear,

The viral “Walmart Birkin,” an affordable alternative to the high-end Hermès Birkin bag, gained widespread attention on TikTok for mimicking the luxury look at a fraction of the price. Although Walmart has removed the listing, it inspired a market for stylish dupes.

Walmart seems to have been paying close attention to all the hubbub about its so-called "Walmart Birkin" or "Wirkin"—the under-$80 Hermès imitator that skyrocketed to viral fame after it was tracked down by TikTokers this winter. The mega-retailer is responding not by dealing in more dupes, but helping shoppers get closer to the real things.

Walmart is not trying to convince anybody it's copying the real deal, said Koyaana Redstar, a luxury handbag authenticator.

By contrast, Walmart’s Wirkin bag represented an affordable way for everyday shoppers to embrace the Birkin aesthetic. The bags became a viral sensation on TikTok, where users celebrated the design as a playful jab at the inaccessibility of luxury goods.

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.