https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tattoos-fashionable-or-not Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Wed, 15 Apr 2026 21:29:36 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tattoos-fashionable-or-not/page/3#post-1781129 Thu, 23 Feb 2017 16:28:33 +0000 minimalist 1781129@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Now I'd like to hear the playlist of MsMary's Tattooable Tunes! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tattoos-fashionable-or-not/page/3#post-1780881 Wed, 22 Feb 2017 23:12:48 +0000 Cee 1780881@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Placement and style is everything ! On most people less is more, but I've seen some who carry the " tattoo shirt " look with aplomb.</p> <p>Just remember the ones that are difficult to conceal may affect employment opportunities ( unless you can wear long sleeved polo/turtlenecks all year round ). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tattoos-fashionable-or-not/page/3#post-1780376 Tue, 21 Feb 2017 16:53:17 +0000 MsMary 1780376@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is an old thread but somehow I missed it the first time around. And all I have to say is "OMG Deb was here for my wedding and I didn't ask to see her tattoos!! I am heartbroken!!!" LOL</p> <p>I like them on other people but for myself I can't imagine any design that I would be willing to commit to for a lifetime. I once told my son that I wish I could have a song tattooed on my body, so I could listen to it whenever I wanted. Because there are definitely songs that I could commit to for life! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tattoos-fashionable-or-not/page/3#post-1780342 Tue, 21 Feb 2017 13:27:24 +0000 Jaime 1780342@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>For me, they almost always detract from a person's attractiveness. Especially when there are many.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tattoos-fashionable-or-not/page/3#post-1780341 Tue, 21 Feb 2017 13:23:50 +0000 April 1780341@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>"Fashionable" as in fashion forward? &nbsp;I would say no. &nbsp;Far too commonplace nowadays. &nbsp; </p> <p>In fact, it's so common to have tattoos everywhere that it's now considered much more daring to have none at all (this is according to my fashion-forward New York City art school son, who pays close attention to trends.) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tattoos-fashionable-or-not/page/3#post-1780327 Tue, 21 Feb 2017 11:38:05 +0000 Momo 1780327@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think tattoos can be really lovely . I had a whole idea for one of cherry blossoms on my shoulder...but I decided against it, my body is very sensitive and I started worrying that I would have a reaction of some sort so... no ink here but like it on others ! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tattoos-fashionable-or-not/page/3#post-1780290 Tue, 21 Feb 2017 04:14:15 +0000 xahirah 1780290@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You should get a small one first since it's your first tattoo. Good luck!</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tattoos-fashionable-or-not/page/3#post-1778683 Wed, 15 Feb 2017 11:02:51 +0000 Karie 1778683@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Both tattoos are beautiful, but large. You could have the artist scale down either one. I'd recommend to get a small one first and see how you like it.&nbsp;</p> <p>I have two. One is on my left shoulder and is very meaningful. My mother died of breast cancer; my tattoo is a pink ribbon with forget-me-not flowers (I used to plant those at her grave) around it. The second tattoo I did just for me, it is a scroll design and it's on my right leg. That one is a bit large and in retrospect, although I still love it, I wish I'd had it made smaller.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tattoos-fashionable-or-not/page/3#post-1778668 Wed, 15 Feb 2017 08:51:39 +0000 rachylou 1778668@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Lol, Jenava. That was just plain funny. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tattoos-fashionable-or-not/page/3#post-1778503 Tue, 14 Feb 2017 19:01:59 +0000 Jenava 1778503@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is an old thread that I missed originally, but it reminds me of this:</p> <p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.theuglyvolvo.com/why-you-should-never-ever-ever-get-a-tattoo-but-having-a-baby-is-fine/">http://www.theuglyvolvo.com/wh.....y-is-fine/</a></p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tattoos-fashionable-or-not/page/3#post-1778371 Tue, 14 Feb 2017 14:17:45 +0000 Mayu S. 1778371@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think that also it depends of "place" where you want it and "meaning" of it. When I see some guy with colorful flower or heart I think that he is probably a gay or too feminine for a guy. And conversely girls with guns or big animals (tigers, bears etc) look kinda manly. As for me before you get a tattoo you should find not just pics but also their meaning.<br />I like birds&nbsp;<a rel="nofollow" href="http://inkprofy.com/bird-tattoos/">http://inkprofy.com/bird-tattoos/</a>&nbsp; it's perfect meaning for me and very nice pics. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tattoos-fashionable-or-not/page/3#post-1667161 Wed, 25 May 2016 20:46:30 +0000 RobinF 1667161@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have actually wondered that too. I got mine for me, not for a certain look, there would be no point if I couldn't see it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tattoos-fashionable-or-not/page/3#post-1667029 Wed, 25 May 2016 17:07:38 +0000 Aziraphale 1667029@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Good question, Mochi. If you get a tattoo on the nape of your neck, you know that other people can see it, so you are probably deliberately going for a certain "look". I think of it as analogous to people who are very concerned with their "rear view" in jeans. You can't see your own butt without a mirror, but everybody else can.</p> <p>If the tattoo is further down the back, you may or may not have got it for the "look" it gives, since most back tattoos are covered in normal clothes. Sometimes people like the idea of having a tattoo that they can easily conceal, but that they can show if they want to by wearing a skimpy top/bathing suit/no shirt at all (mainly guys for option 3, lol). Others might get a tattoo more for its symbolism -- that is, for more personal reasons -- and they just feel like the back is a good spot for a tattoo.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tattoos-fashionable-or-not/page/3#post-1667024 Wed, 25 May 2016 17:00:37 +0000 rachylou 1667024@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>All right, but even if you hate 'em, what would be your tattoo? </p> <p>My work children have all the best ideas and copying ideas is lame...the latest brilliant idea I can't have is - you know the rose and dagger? 'Donut and dagger'</p> <p>Lol. Another I thought was good was a wishbone over your wishbone and flying crows (very 'Cold Mountain'). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tattoos-fashionable-or-not/page/3#post-1666991 Wed, 25 May 2016 16:44:46 +0000 Mochi 1666991@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm also curious as to why people would get tattoos on a part of the body where they can't see it (such as the back, nape of the neck, etc). I'd want to be able to see mine.</p> <p>(I'm biased against tattoos, but at the same time curious around many aspects of them). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tattoos-fashionable-or-not/page/3#post-1666964 Wed, 25 May 2016 16:34:07 +0000 citygirldc 1666964@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I too have a tattoo that I had gotten on my shoulder in my 20s and so regret it now. I thought it was the coolest thing then but now I just want it off. &nbsp;At least I can hide it. Plus after 20 years, tattoos tend to fade so you'd need a touch up of some kind. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tattoos-fashionable-or-not/page/2#post-1666960 Wed, 25 May 2016 16:31:22 +0000 LaPed 1666960@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Deb, I love this and totally agree:&nbsp;"I have never regretted my tattoos. To me that is like regretting your children. You love them for what they are and when you had them. Just sayin'."</p> <p>I actually tend to explain body art to people as having a potential psychological benefit in terms of body autonomy/positivity (for young women, especially). So many of us come out of adolescence feeling at war with our bodies, or completely detached from physical existence in one way or another.&nbsp;Body art, just like fashion or make-up, can be a way of embracing yourself and recognizing your own strength/beauty. I see it as a physical manifestation of self-respect and self-confidence. I'm not saying that's how it is for everyone, but it certainly was for me. I feel the same way about my surgical (and other) scars, tbh. My tattoos are, in essence, intentional scars over which I had aesthetic control.</p> <p>One other thought:&nbsp;As a culture, we've lost a lot of our traditional rites of passage for young adults, and I think within my generation a lot of people lay claim to tattoos and piercings as self-defined rites of passage. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tattoos-fashionable-or-not/page/2#post-1666952 Wed, 25 May 2016 16:11:20 +0000 Angie 1666952@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh my goodness, catseye. I don't think there is a <b>more</b> tattoed and body pierced city than Seattle. Most people I come into contact with daily are tattooed. All ages, personas, body types, ethnicities. EVERYONE. Like Nancy, ironically, NOT being tattooed where I live is alternative.&nbsp;</p> <p>Lisa, I hope to see your tattooed back one day.&nbsp;</p> <p>I don't know anyone who has regretted their tattoos either.&nbsp;</p> <p>TylerAnne, thanks for chiming in about Japan. It makes sense that the culture is more forgiving of Westerners having tattoos. When I speak to my hip and fashionable Japanese friend from Tokyo though, she still thinks it's a bad idea to get a tattoo when you live in Japan and are Japanese.&nbsp;</p> <p>Jules, I have always loved your body art, especially since I know how much meaning those symbols have to your gracious and sensitive soul.&nbsp;</p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tattoos-fashionable-or-not/page/2#post-1666909 Wed, 25 May 2016 14:18:44 +0000 catseye 1666909@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am actually surprised by how many here who have them. I don't think anyone I interact on a daily basis has them. &nbsp;Certainly no one at work. Never seen them on any of the parents at my son's school either. What does that say about me? That I work in too conservative a place?&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tattoos-fashionable-or-not/page/2#post-1666890 Wed, 25 May 2016 13:32:41 +0000 Lisa 1666890@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I adore tattoos and at least 80% of my back (maybe more) is covered. &nbsp;But when I am in a work setting, you do not see them at all. &nbsp;Easy for me to do, since it is all on my back. &nbsp;I know tattoos are growing in popularity, but in my work place showing them off is still a no-no. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tattoos-fashionable-or-not/page/2#post-1666868 Wed, 25 May 2016 13:01:12 +0000 Bijou 1666868@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Jean Paul Gautier does some beautiful tulle tattoo tops - which whilst expensive are much cheaper than a real tattoo sleeve (or major body part). Personally I do not have tattoos, but I have admired them on others. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tattoos-fashionable-or-not/page/2#post-1666736 Wed, 25 May 2016 04:05:53 +0000 Gigi 1666736@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The only thing I can share about tattoos is that I have a friend whose sister is an obstetrician, and she sees a lot of tattoos that were done on women's midsections. As we get older, that part of the body tends to accumulate fat, and so what used to be a cute little fish or something gets all stretched out and doesn't look very cute anymore! So if you are considering getting a tattoo, do think about what will happen to the shape of the body part as you age, and how that will affect the shape of the tattoo.</p> <p>As to fashion, I think that a tattoo can be fashionable, but the problem I run into is that it is forever. So it's a permanent part of your style. I see that others have talked about temporary tattoos, so I would maybe try a temp one first. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tattoos-fashionable-or-not/page/2#post-1666667 Wed, 25 May 2016 01:31:54 +0000 Mochi 1666667@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've heard that the top of the foot is the most painful spot to get tattooed. Because it's all bone.</p> <p>Eta from my experience and where I live, NOT having a tattoo is a much more radical act. They are totally mainstream here. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tattoos-fashionable-or-not/page/2#post-1666665 Wed, 25 May 2016 01:31:28 +0000 Echo 1666665@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Meh. I have two tattoos, and I do wish I had not had them. I tell my daughter (because it is true) that the most "alternative" thing a person can do is to not have ANY piercings or ink. That is far more rare and unusual than having ink and piercings. No criticism from me for those with tattoos or multiple piercings, as I have them, too. I don't wear jewelry in anything except the first ear piercings I have, but my piercings (including body piercings) never close, so I could wear jewelry in any or all of them tomorrow if I wanted to (I don't). &nbsp;</p> <p>It's a personal choice, but as other posters have mentioned, many places of work still frown on having tattoos that show. The negative bias may not be right, and it may not even be legal, but it <i>does</i> exist - and proving discrimination is awfully hard in the best of cases and next to impossible in the case of tattoos or piercings. It seems a lot more exciting before you have one to plan and get one. After it is done, the newness wears off pretty quickly and whether you like it or not it is permanent. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tattoos-fashionable-or-not/page/2#post-1666658 Wed, 25 May 2016 01:23:27 +0000 dakotacheryl 1666658@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Not a fan of tatoos that look like barbed wire, but love many others that I see. If I ever get one, it will be in a location where the skin doesn't usually sag, like my ankle, or the top of my foot (wonder if that's a sensitive spot?) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tattoos-fashionable-or-not/page/2#post-1666641 Wed, 25 May 2016 01:02:01 +0000 Gaylene 1666641@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm not a fan of tattoos, mostly because I've never seen many that appeal to me. The little, delicate ones that are easily covered seem to fall into the "meh", "why bother" category for me, while the full on, cover-the-skin designs often look odd to me when a person's clothing covers parts of the design, or jarring when the design is juxtaposed next to "regular" clothing. </p> <p>The only body tattoos I've thought attractive were some I've seen at the gym or on the beach; in that context, tattoos seem more aesthetically pleasing and interesting to my eye because of all that bare skin. I've also been fascinated by people I've met with facial tattoos, especially when the person explains the cultural significance. </p> <p>I agree, though, with Deb and Elisabeth that none of my tattooed friends--most of whom are in the "senior" category--appear to REGRET their tattoos. Some do mention they might not do it again if they could turn back time, but even those individuals seem to regard their tattoos as just another aspect of their history. Sort of similar to the feelings I have about some of my old boyfriends... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tattoos-fashionable-or-not/page/2#post-1666580 Tue, 24 May 2016 23:49:06 +0000 deb 1666580@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ex banker, over 60, old person here an I have never regretted my tattoos. To me that is like regretting your children. You love them for what they are and when you had them. Just sayin'. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tattoos-fashionable-or-not/page/2#post-1666526 Tue, 24 May 2016 21:39:30 +0000 Ledonna N. 1666526@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have 1 tattoo.&nbsp; I got it right after advanced training in the Army with a group of peers.&nbsp; Is a simple rose.&nbsp; That was almost 25 years ago.&nbsp; I saw it as a sense of accomplishment and completion of our shared journey.&nbsp; The color has faded.&nbsp; It almost looks like a birthmark now.&nbsp; As I look at it I remember what was a life time ago.&nbsp; I love body are.&nbsp; I'll never have another one but I don't decorated my body with tattoos.&nbsp; I don't regret the one I have and I applauded people who are able to get multiples.&nbsp; It still means nonconformist to me.&nbsp; Espically if you have one on your face like Mike Tyson. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tattoos-fashionable-or-not/page/2#post-1666454 Tue, 24 May 2016 20:33:39 +0000 Mochi 1666454@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Aziraphale, it wasn't your comment but since you are equally surprised I guess it applies! Anyway no worries, I'm just expressing overall taste but not directed at any individual tattoos, lol. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tattoos-fashionable-or-not/page/2#post-1666437 Tue, 24 May 2016 20:18:23 +0000 Aziraphale 1666437@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Mochi</b> -- gosh, I didn't mean to suggest that everybody has to like tattoos. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and the perception of beauty is highly subjective. And it's true, tattoos are more of a commitment than cropped flares! &nbsp;But I also don't think an old, faded tattoo is necessarily a really big deal. In my case it's not. I don't like or dislike it -- it's just a part of my life story. I like <b>TylerAnne</b>'s comparison with life timeline/wrinkles. (I might feel differently if I'd got it on my neck, or if it was a tattoo of a flower fairy or a badly-rendered image of Chewbacca's face or something. Or if it was what I thought was my name in Chinese, but in fact was some euphemism for "horse's rear end"). Lol</p> <p>How about this approach: If it gives a person enormous pleasure when they are young, and is sufficiently carefully chosen that it will not be a colossal source of embarrassment when they are old, then it's worth it.</p> <p>But again -- I really was surprised by all the negative comments -- especially the stories about people regretting tattoos, mainly because I know so darned many people in my age group or older who have them and almost no one who has expressed regret. Some of us have had tattoos for a really long time, too. Maybe regret depends what kind of tattoo you got. <b>Deb</b>, perhaps the people you know who regret their tattoos made a particularly foolish choice in their youth. :-)</p> <p>One group of people who seem especially delighted with tattoos? The women in my mum's age group (now 70s), who got tattoos in their 50s and 60s. They almost always seem to have chosen small tasteful ones, and had an "I've-always-wanted-to-do-this-but-wasn't-brave-enough-until-now" attitude about it. I found it charming.&nbsp;</p>