Cheryl Shops

The Internet recently lost its collective mind over the Wirkin (no longer available), a knockoff of the famed Hermès Birkin bag offered via a third-party vendor on Wal-Mart. The bag promptly went viral, then sold out and spawned a bunch of think pieces on whether it's the end of luxury as we know it (short answer: nope) and/or whether it's signaling a class revolt (well, maybe). In case you're not familiar with the Hermès Game, the Birkin (named after the famous model Jane Birkin, who was previously known for using a literal basket as a handbag) and the Kelly (the Birkin's older, slightly more structured shoulder bag, named after the iconic Grace Kelly) are highly controlled in terms of inventory and only offered to clients who spend a certain amount of money with Hermès—e.g. you can't just walk in off the street and buy one when the mood strikes. Oh, and they start in the high four figures. This scarcity—plus the fact that they're hand-stitched by actual French artisans—is what makes them so luxurious, so the irony of a dupe being offered at the most pedestrian, middle-American mass-market store of them all is not lost on me. Granted, you're not going to fool anyone with a Wirkin (especially if you're shopping at Wal-Mart), but that's beside the point. Yes, Hermès has been duped for years, but when a luxury item is knocked off so much, it can lose its luster. Shall we topple the aristocracy? 

Do I own any real Hermès items? Yes. Do I own any dupes? Also yes. These A New Day slippers were $15 at Target, and while they're faux, they're a pretty good dupe of the lamb-fur version of the famous Oran sandals. They're comfy, they're chic, and did I mention they're $15? Size down. Read on for more Hermès dupes. 

1. While we're on the topic of Oran sandals, they've been duped to high heaven, but arguably the most democratic entry is Steve Madden's $60 Haydn sandal, a real leather style they keep bringing back year after year. 

Steve Madden Haydn slide $59.95

2. The secret, of course, is that Orans actually aren't very comfortable at all; if you can handle the dorkiness of the Birkenstock-esque Chypre, it's a much more walkable sandal. Steve Madden's version doesn't have a leather footbed, but overall, I think it's a pretty damn good dupe. 

Steve Madden Mayven $89.95

3. The Birkin and the Kelly get all the notoriety, but I personally prefer the slouchy look of the Picotin, which, if you're lucky, you can sometimes order directly on the Hermès website (and often for under $5k, a veritable bargain!). This, however, is a good bag to dupe, because the logo stamp is on the inside of the bag, making it somewhat easier to pass off as the real deal—if that's what you're going for. 

Amazon leather bucket bag $79.88

4. All luxury brands are dupe-able if you ask Tiffany & Fred—a search on Rue La La brings up faux Bottega Veneta, Celine, Balenciaga, and so on. I am partial to their scaled-down take on the Garden Party tote, another more under-the-radar Hermès bag. 

Tiffany & Fred Paris Pebble Cashmere & Leather Tote $169.99

5. But if it's a quota bag you want, Lily & Bean makes ridiculously tiny, candy-colored versions of the mini Kelly that, at this price, seem actually cute; as a so-not-authentic bonus, you can add your name or initials (I'd be tempted to go with, simply, DUPE). 

Lily & Bean Hettie bag $144

When it comes to French luxury houses, Louis Vuitton and Chanel tend to have the best name recognition and while I wouldn't turn down a bag from either, my favorite has always been Hermès. What I love about Hermès is that for almost 200 years, they've stayed true to their artisanal roots, and unlike their competitors, Hermès still manufactures the majority of its products in France. Of course, Hermès is more expensive than Chanel or Louis Vuitton, especially when it comes to handbags; the Birkin is their most famous, but the Constance—a bag so exclusive, you are only allowed to purchase it if you've already bought another Hermès handbag—is my favorite. So while I'm still a few years away from that milestone, I've been establishing myself as a customer for when the time comes. Jewelry is a great place to start (my first purchase was a Clic-H bracelet in Bordeaux in 2016), as are shoes, and both have the distinction of being designed by accessory mastermind Pierre Hardy. If you follow any influencers on Instagram, chances are you've seen the flat Oran sandal, but as someone who prefers a little heel, I think the Oasis is the way to go. Here's my honest and unfiltered opinion of the Hermès Oasis sandal. 

Confession: I've never understood the fascination with Birkin bags. Have you ever actually held one? They're boxy and stiff, and once you put all your stuff inside, they're rather heavy too. (And then, of course, this happened.) The Kelly has the benefit of coming with a shoulder strap, but I find them even more structured and fussy-looking. But last week, I spotted a gorgeously slouchy bucket bag on the arm of my coworker, and after I wiped the drool from the corners of my mouth, she confessed it was Hermès, and a Christmas present. The bag is the Picotin, and I'm now completely obsessed. Whereas the Birkin is traditional, staid, and almost too elegant for its own good, the Picotin is more casual, youthful, and relaxed. There is no zipper, but that signature Hermès lock, buttery pebbled leather, and contrast hand-stitching give it an unmistakable polish. One of the best things about the Picotin is its price; at nearly $2400, it's nothing to sneeze at, but it's on par with bags from fellow French luxury houses like Louis Vuitton, Goyard, and Chanel and has the added benefit--in my opinion, at least--of being much more understated and quiet and thus truly luxurious. An added benefit to the Picotin's under-the-radar status? Unlike a used Birkin or Kelly, which rarely can be had for less than mid four figures, you can frequently find them for around $1,000 on luxury resale sites like The Real Real, LXR & Co., or Portero. Considering my birthday is coming up soon, I'll be watching all of those sites like a hawk; any bag in that delicious blue jean taurillon clemence leather is mine, all mine.

As much as living in New York City can get me down sometimes, twice a year the Hermes sample sale comes along, reminding me that I live in a magical, magical place. Here, you can score the legendary French luxury house's scarves, jewelry, accessories, bags, clothing, and fragrances for up to 70% off. Expect long lines and big crowds, but the venue, Soffier Haskin, is all class (as far as sample sales go).9/22-9/24; 9-8 Th & F, 9-6 S; 317 W. 33rd St. (8th & 9th Aves.).

There are so many awesome sample sales this week, I had to list them all. So, without further ado...

Normally if there is a disaster or a cause, I would encourage you to donate money directly to the charity, rather than shop for something that benefits. However, this is more of a situation where you'd be going to it anyway, and it just so happens to have a charitable benefit. I'm talking about the 2-day 3.1 Phillip Lim sample sale, where RTW, men's, and kids' samples and production stock will be at below-wholesale prices, and proceeds will benefit the American Red Cross's Japan relief efforts. 3/24-3/25; 10-6; 260 W. 39th St. (7th & 8th Aves.), 17th fl.

Also benefiting Japan: United Bamboo, where clothing for men, women, and cats (yes cats), plus shoes and bags are up to 90% off, with 100% of proceeds going toward tsunami relief in Japan. 3/22-3/23; 11-8; 217 Centre St. (Grand & Howard Sts.), 6th fl.


 Expect long lines and lots of cranky rich people at the Hermes sample sale, where bags, scarves, ties, jewelry, and various leather goods are up to 70% off. As usual at Soffier Haskin, bring credit cards and leave the strollers and children under 12 at home. 3/23-3/27; 9-9, 9-8 Th, 1-5 Sun; 317 W. 33rd St. (8th & 9th Aves.).

David Yurman's jewelry rarely goes on sale, so scoop it up at this sample sale, also featuring watches and eyewear. 3/24-3/27; 3-8 Th, 10-7 F-Sat, 11-5 Sun.; Altman Building, 135 W. 18th St. (6th & 7th Aves.).

In case you missed any of Dannijo's prior sample sales, you've got another choice to score their downtowny jewelry at just $10 and up. 3/22; 10-7:30; 423 W. 14th St. (at Washington St.).

Finally, if, like me, you're of the mind that one cannot own too many bikinis, hit the Sirene Collection first-annual sample sale this weekend, where swimwear by coveted lines like Zimmerman and Mara Hoffman is up to 85% off. 3/25-3/26; noon-7 F, noon-5 S; 250 W. 39th St. (7th & 8th Aves.), ste. 507.