Barre Trash Trash Bag Shorts 2.0 — Ripstop Warm-Up Shorts
If you’ve spent any time around a ballet studio, you’ve heard someone ask for trash bag shorts for dancers before class starts — the loose, crinkly warm-up layer dancers have pulled on over tights for decades to hold in body heat and loosen up cold muscles before barre. Barre Trash didn’t invent the idea, but their Trash Bag Shorts 2.0 fix the part that always bothered dancers about the original: the fabric. Instead of stiff, shiny, actual-garbage-bag plastic, this is a thin ripstop nylon with a soft matte finish, made by a factory that builds dancewear exclusively rather than repurposed trash bags.
The 2.0 update also swapped the old elastic leg openings for an adjustable drawstring at each leg, so you can cinch them snug to trap warmth during barre or loosen them up once you’ve broken a sweat. It’s a small change, but it’s the difference between shorts that fit the moment you’re actually in and shorts that were sized for someone else.
Why do dancers still wear trash bag shorts before class?
Warming up cold muscles matters, and a layer that holds in body heat over tights or leggings helps a dancer get there faster, especially in a chilly studio in the winter months. Dancers have used literal trash bags for this for years because the plastic doesn’t breathe, which is exactly the point during warm-up — it traps heat close to the body. The trade-off has always been comfort: real trash bags crinkle, stick to skin, and tear. A short built for this purpose, out of a real ripstop fabric, does the same job without the discomfort.
How does the drawstring leg opening work?
Each leg opening on the 2.0 version has its own drawstring instead of a sewn-in elastic band. Pull it snug during warm-up so the shorts hold heat close to the leg, or loosen it once you’re warmed up and moving into center work. It also means the fit adjusts to the dancer instead of the dancer adjusting to a fixed elastic — useful for a growing teenager or an adult who’s between sizes.
Can these be worn outside of warm-up?
Yes, though that’s not the main reason to reach for them. Rolled at the waist and cuffed at the leg, they sit more like a fitted short for open class or a quick errand after rehearsal. Left loose, they’re built to do their real job: trap heat, move with the body, and come off easily once class gets going.
Materials & Construction
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Fabric | Ripstop nylon — thin, strong, soft matte finish (not shiny or stiff like standard nylon) |
| Leg opening | Adjustable drawstring at each leg (updated from elastic in the 2.0 version) |
| Fit | Loose, relaxed silhouette — wear baggy or rolled and cuffed |
| Product | Trash Bag Shorts 2.0 (Barre Trash) — no separate SKU code published by the brand |
Care Instructions
| Step | Instruction |
|---|---|
| Washing | Machine wash cold with like colors |
| Drying | Tumble dry low or hang dry |
| Do not | Use bleach; avoid ironing directly over any printed logo |
| Note | Care instructions not published by Barre Trash — confirm against the garment hangtag before publishing this listing. |
Sizing Guide — Barre Trash Shorts
Barre Trash sizes this style by waist and hip measurement in women’s XS through L. The brand’s fit model is 5’3″ (160 cm) and wears a size Small in one colorway and an XS in another — a reminder that, like most warm-up styles, these run true to measurement but a snugger or looser preference can shift you a size either way.
| Size | Waist (in) | Waist (cm) | Hip (in) | Hip (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XS | 22–23″ | 56–58 cm | 30–34″ | 76–86 cm |
| S | 24–25″ | 61–64 cm | 35–36″ | 89–91 cm |
| M | 26–28″ | 66–71 cm | 37–38″ | 94–97 cm |
| L | 28–30″ | 71–76 cm | 38–40″ | 97–102 cm |
Because these are meant to be worn loose, sizing up from your measured waist is a reasonable choice if you prefer more room to layer over tights or leggings. Chart reflects body measurements, not garment measurements, and is a guide only — an in-store fitting at August Muse can help you land on the right size.
Best For
- Warming up cold muscles before barre, rehearsal, or open class
- Dancers who want a warm-up layer that doesn’t crinkle, stick, or tear like a real trash bag
- Studios and winter months where holding in body heat before class matters most
- Layering over tights, leggings, or bike shorts
- Teens and adults who want an adjustable fit rather than a fixed elastic
We carry these in XS through L at our downtown Elizabethton location.
Available at August Muse
The Barre Trash Trash Bag Shorts 2.0 are available in store at August Muse in downtown Elizabethton, TN, in women’s sizes XS through L. Stop in for help finding your size or pairing them with the rest of your warm-up layers.
