High Waist Swim Pant Black vs Popeye: Print and Fit Compared

Quick answer

The Black and Popeye high waist swim pants are the same cut in the same durable nylon/spandex fabric, so fit and sizing are identical. Choose Black if you want a plain, versatile pair that hides wear and works with any top; choose Popeye if you want a print and don't mind paying a little more. Both are ordered in your usual underwear size.

What actually differs between the two prints

On the facts supplied, the only differences between the High Waist Swim Pant Black and the High Waist Swim Pant Popeye are the print and the price. Both are described as the Swimwear Original Pant in a high waisted option, with a hint of 1950s glamour, and both use the same very durable nylon/spandex fabric with ECONYL® regenerated nylon yarn made from nylon waste. The cut, coverage and care expectations carry across, so you are not choosing between two different fits.

That makes this a print decision rather than a performance decision. A solid black pair reads as a neutral swim separate you can pair with almost any rash vest, tank or sun top, and marks and fading are less obvious over time. A print like Popeye is the opposite: it does the styling work for you, so a plain top is enough, but it is a stronger look that you either want or you don't.

Price and value at a glance

Both pants are listed with the same comparison price of USD 98.00, but the Black sits at USD 61.74 and the Popeye at USD 69.58. In practical terms you pay roughly eight dollars more for the print. That gap is small enough that it shouldn't decide the purchase on its own, but it is worth knowing if you are buying two pairs or matching a family set, because the difference multiplies.

If you swim often and want a workhorse pair, the Black is the cheaper way into the same cut and fabric. If the print is the reason you're buying, the Popeye's premium is modest for something you'll wear all summer.

Sizing and fit: stick to your underwear size

Both pants are ordered the same way: stick to your undies size. That is the single most useful instruction here, because the swim fabric is described as super comfy, just like the underwear, so there is no need to size up for swimming or size down for a tighter feel. If you already know your Thunderpants underwear size, you already know your size in both the Black and the Popeye.

The high waist cut is the other constant. It sits higher than a standard brief, which gives more coverage across the midsection and a retro line at the waist. If you have never worn a high rise swim pant before, the rise, not the print, is the part most likely to feel different from what you're used to.

How to decide in under a minute

Ask yourself one question: do you want your swim pant to be the plain base of your outfit or the feature? If it's the base, take the Black. If it's the feature, take the Popeye. Everything else, including fabric, coverage and sizing, is shared, so there is no wrong answer on fit.

If you are still unsure, think about how many tops you own that would clash with a print. A closet full of patterned rash vests points to Black; a closet of plain block colours gives Popeye room to work.

And if the high waist shape itself is the open question rather than the print, try one pair first in whichever print you prefer and judge the rise on your own body before adding a second.

Trade-offs to weigh before you choose

• Solid black vs print: Black is the neutral option that pairs with almost any top and shows marks less; Popeye is the statement option that carries the outfit on its own. Pick the one that matches how you actually style your swimwear, not the one you like most in isolation.
• Price difference: Black is USD 61.74 and Popeye is USD 69.58 against the same USD 98.00 comparison price. The gap is small for one pair but adds up across a family or multi-pair order.
• Same fit, same sizing rule: Both are ordered in your usual undies size and share the high waist cut, so the rise and coverage will feel the same whichever print you pick. If the high waist shape is new to you, judge it on one pair before buying more.

Product facts

• High Waist Swim Pant Black: High Waist Swim Pant Black is the Swimwear Original Pant in a high waisted option, constructed in very durable nylon/spandex with ECONYL® regenerated nylon yarn. The durable fabric and regenerated nylon content are shared with the Popeye, so you are not trading longevity for the plain colour.
• High Waist Swim Pant Popeye: High Waist Swim Pant Popeye is the same Swimwear Original Pant high waisted option, with the same durable nylon/spandex construction and ECONYL® regenerated nylon yarn. Because the cut and fabric match the Black, the print is the only styling variable, so choose on look rather than performance.
• Flared Swim Dress Popeye: Flared Swim Dress Popeye is flared and long to cover tummy, hips, thighs, bottoms and baby bumps, with a wide band under the breasts and no special cup support. If you want more coverage than a high waist brief gives, this is the alternative to consider, especially if you dislike wearing togs at all.

Who each pair suits

Best for

• Swimmers who want a plain high waist brief that works with any top
• Anyone buying multiple pairs or a family set and watching the total price
• People who already know their Thunderpants underwear size and want the same fit in swimwear

Not for

• Swimmers who want the print to be the focal point of their outfit, who should choose the Popeye instead
• Anyone wanting more coverage across the thighs or a dress-style silhouette, who should look at the Flared Swim Dress Popeye
• Shoppers who want cup support built into the swimwear, since the high waist brief is not described as having any