Tattoos - To conceal, or not to conceal... - YouLookFab Forum

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Tattoos - To conceal, or not to conceal...

Arya

(website)

I've been inspired by an insightful question/comment on my WIW - Grad School Interview thread to start a whole new conversation about tattoos.

Specifically: if you have tattoos, do you feel that you need to cover them up in certain settings/events? Why or why not? Do you end up following that feeling?

If you don't have tattoos, do you have an opinion one way or the other about whether they should be visible in certain settings/events? Why or why not?

If you were going for an interview, would you cover your tattoo(s)? If you were giving the interview, would the interviewee's tattoo(s) sway you one way or the other?

I know that responses will vary greatly and will be informed by everything from one's upbringing, to geography, social climate, misunderstandings/misrepresentations about body art, you name it!

Clearly, tattoos make a statement, just as our choice of clothing does. And, just as with clothing, the statement we intend may not be the one that is interpreted. Ah, perspectives! I'm excited to learn how women around the globe feel about tattoo art - on themselves or on others...particularly fashionable women such as yourselves!

I've attached two photos that show my tattoos, offered as a reference point. In the first, I'm in my Grad School Interview Suit and intentionally not concealing my ankle tattoos. You may recognize the second photo from one of my first posts, WIW to a friend's wedding - again, not concealing the tattoos at all.

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40 replies

Latest reply was from Polly (thunalata)

Maya

Veteran

I do not have any tattoos, but if I did, I would absolutely cover them for interviews. I work with someone who dyes his hair a new shade of Manic Panic every few weeks and has had piercings of all kinds, so I know it's quite acceptable for me.

But interviews are different. You only get one shot. I always err on the side of conservative.

I have no opinions either way on tattoos. I'm not a big fan of sleeves or styles which are very covering, but dainty ones like yours are fine. I guess I don't really "get" tattoos. I feel like in order for me to embed something into my skin for life, it has to be something very personal and meaningful. And if it's personal and meaningful, I don't think I'd want it on display. But that's just me. Maybe others don't mind.

I would never judge someone for having tattoos or other bodmods. If they're a great person, they will still be a great person. If they are an awful person, they will still be an awful person. It would not factor into any decisions for me if I were in a position to hire. But as I said, it's not an issue in my line of work.

Kate

Veteran

I have a tattoo that is on my right hip, and the only time when I need to worry about it possibly showing is when I'm wearing a swimsuit. I choose to buy swimsuits that keep it covered, in part because it looks a bit odd to have some of it sticking out, and in part because I don't want strangers or kids asking me about it.

I don't think I would get a tattoo in a highly visible place just because I wouldn't want to have to dress to conceal it, or thinking about dressing to conceal it. People are becoming much more liberal about bodyart, and tattoos are increasingly popular, but as you said there are great variations depending on the environment you're in.

Also, I know plenty of grad students and other academics with tattoos, so I wouldn't be concerned about needing to cover up around them.

Finally, I asked about tattoos before, and loved reading the responses! http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ou-get-any

ETA: Regarding what Maya said, mine is meaningful and personal, so I chose to put it in a place on my body where I get to choose who sees it.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I also don't have any tattoos and oddly have never dated anyone who does. But one of my close friends is covered head to toe and now runs his own parlor. I don't judge others for having them but I will say sometimes I don't find them aesthetically attractive or appealing with certain outfits. As for interviews, I agree with Maya, always err on the side of caution.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I think it depends on the type of interview - if I'm interviewing for a job in a casual culture work environment, tattoos may be more acceptable.

That being said, medicine is very conservative, and I know someone who got in showing her tattoo (neck). I suppose it also depends what your tattoo is of I hear a lot of complaints about a resident doc who has a tattoo on her breast that she flashes at people, so that's sort of inappropriate (to be flashing breast, regardless of that tattoo).

I don't have any myself, and if I was getting one, I'd probably put it somewhere that doesn't interfere with my professional life.

Anonymous

Ditto what Maya said. I don't understand tattoos and often think the person is bruised. They don't age well from what I've seen. In my area tattoos are generally not acceptable in jobs where one works with the public in a professional office.
Example: a receptionist at my eye specialist's office has to keep hers covered. She wears bandages on her wrists and must get really tied of people asking about her "injury".

Steph

Veteran

I agree with Maya and Mo in pretty much everything they both said. I would err on the side of caution if possible. With your tattoos, that might be a little more difficult at times, as it would be tough to hide the ankle tattoos if you were wearing a skirt suit for a summer interview--wearing black opaque tights isn't going to be very practical then (and I would actually worry that the interviewer would think that I was strange for wearing such heavy tights in the middle of the summer!).

I worked as a lawyer for several years at a very high-end law firm, which is traditionally a conservative world, and although I can't think of any attorneys with visible tattoos, one of my lawyer friends there did have a (small) nose ring and no one looked twice. Additionally, a lot of the staff did have visible tattoos. I was on the dress code committee at one point, and I remember a few people trying to pass a rule that no one could wear visible tattoos. I fought hard against that, and eventually won. (Interestingly to me, it was the staff, and not the attorneys, on the committee who were pushing for the new rule.) I just thought it was ridiculous to require people with tattoos to wear a turtleneck in the summer (a few people had neck tattoos) or wear bandages like at Joy's doctor's office. But honestly, that dress code committee was crazy--I could go on for hours with stories of what they tried to do.

RandomThoughts (Andrea)

Veteran

I don't even see the tattoo in your first photo!

I have three tattoos (gained one since the last post on this topic). One covering most of my upper back, one on my lower back and one on my forearm and wrist. If I wear anything other than long sleeves or high crewneck, my tattoos are at least partially visible.

I do not feel I ever "need" to cover my tattoos. There are times when I consider it, such as when the first impression opinion of someone I do not (and will not) know personally and who I suspect is socially conservative matters to me and when who I am as a person or a professional is irrelevant. Specifically, I show dogs in conformation. What the handler looks like is not supposed to matter, but everyone knows that it does. Depending on who is judging and how self-conscious I feel, I may cover up my forearm. Since I have not actually been in the ring since I got the most visible one, we'll see exactly what happens! I will probably ease my way into having it visible.

Other than that, I personally do not and have no intentions of hiding them. My tattoos are part of who I am. I have chosen a lifestyle that accommodates that. I would not worry about covering my tattoos nor removing piercings for any interviews I might go on in the future (god forbid my business fails!) given that my profession is very tattoo friendly as is the area in which I live.

I might feel differently if I worked in a more traditional or conservative environment but, frankly, I would not be happy there anyway and would not choose those purposely. My friends and family accept me "as is" and that means my tattoos also.

IIRC, you live in Seattle, right? Your tattoos are so small I cannot see them mattering at all! I'm in Seattle too, and do work with the public and am in a profession where clients need to trust my professionalism, intelligence and judgment. I have not experienced any backlash of which I am aware. In fact, here in Seattle I almost think -not- having tattoos is sort of odd.

My tattoos are meaningful to me. I want them on display. I love them! But then I am usually the sort of person who is more than willing to offer an opinion, often not the most popular one. *grin*

ETA - just read your other thread and thought I'd mention: My tattoos are NOT dainty. At all.

Elly

Veteran

I don't have tattoos. I love tattoos and at one time considered becoming a tattoo artist-- my tattoo dreams were cut short by medical stuff. However, I am very picky about body art and I hate to see bad tats. Good tats are like good architecture-- it flows with the movement of the surroundings. From an anthropological perspective, almost all indigenous tribal cultures practiced some form of body modification or another, the taboo against it is entirely a Western colonized implication. In many cultures only the women were tattooed to show the stage of life they were in (puberty, marriage, ect) and only women with the culturally prescribed tattoos were considered beautiful. I don't think someone should cover tattoos for a job interview if they don't plan on covering them at work (false advertising I guess). In today's world there are so few professions/work cultures that let things like tattoos (especially not gang or drug related or very outlandish full body or facial tats) mess with you chances. Tats are no longer an indication of "the lifestyle." I joke sometimes about how many people in my generation are going to be very tattooed grandparents. Maybe by the time we have kids old enough to get tattooed it is likely to no longer be considered socially rebellious anymore and I predict fewer teens and more adults will get tatted. One of my major major pet peeves though is tats under sheer nude hose. I don't know what it is, but it doesn't hide the tat, it just makes it look crummy. IDK, in today's world there are only a handful of places where nude hose are appropriate, let alone required anymore and I find them sweaty and uncomfortable, so I may be biased.

Aziraphale

Veteran

What an interesting thread! Arya, I think the location of your tattoos (wrist, ankles) says something about your attitude toward revealing tattoos. Do you get a tattoo on your wrist if you don't want the whole world to see it? Nope!

Here's my take on the topic of tattoos. First of all, I love them -- even the more extreme looks, such as a sleeve that covers the shoulder and arm. If it's beautiful art, and the wearer can pull off the tattoo with the rest of their look, I like it. However, now that tattoos have become sort of mainstream, and no longer pack the anti-establishment punch that they used to, we can use them to read into a person's character, to a degree. As you pointed out, Arya, a tattoo says something about you, so if you choose to show off the tattoo, that something is there for people to read -- whether it's the message you intended or not. The tattoo itself (butterfly? skull with eyeballs oozing blood? profound thought in chinese characters, even though you're white?) and its location (lower back? forearm? foreHEAD?) convey messages, such as your taste, your style, your originality, your social attitudes, how seriously you take yourself, how secure (or insecure) you are, and even where you're from. The list goes on. I have a friend who, while on holiday in New Zealand, was correctly identified as a British Columbian by a complete stranger (and fellow British Columbian), simply because of the native american Haida art on his shoulder.

Here is a slightly crass but very funny website that compares what you THINK your tattoo says about you to what it REALLY says about you:

http://www.holytaco.com/what-y.....about-you/

OK, so, to answer your questions....yes, I have a tattoo, and it's a mighty silly one, but since it's on my hip and doesn't show unless I'm in a bikini, I don't really have to think about whether to reveal it or not. If it were on my forearm, I think there would absolutely be times when I'd be tempted to conceal it. Interviews spring to mind. Showing off your tattoos at a wedding or other black tie affair seems fine, unless they are big, ugly and offensive (in which case you're probably not the black tie affair type, so perhaps it's a moot point...). If I were the interviewer, and the interviewee had a tattoo, it would depend where and what it was. I would think nothing of something mainstream, like a delicate circlet of ivy around the ankle, but something aggressive, like a rude word across the knuckles? Um, not good. In-between things don't bother me too much, although they might bother others, so I'd err on the side of caution. I think attitudes are changing, though. My doctor's receptionist is all tattooed up, in a middle-aged biker sort of way, but she's friendly and efficient, and my very conservative doctor was clearly able to see past her body art to hire her!

Phew -- that was long. Clearly I have opinions on the subject!

crwilson

Veteran

I do have a tattoo, but it's relatively small and because of its placement, automatically concealed unless I'm in a swimsuit. Generally speaking, I love well-done body art, especially when the person in question is confident. For interviews, I think it really depends on the occasion. For most grad school interviews, for example, I wouldn't worry about covering up tattoos because I don't think anyone would care. For more conservative environments, I would probably err on the side of caution.

Barbara

Veteran

I DO appreciate the artistry and self-expression of tattoos, but they definitely should be covered for an interview. Facial/multiple piercings that are exposed should be removed as well. In my opinion, the cover up/removal rule should also apply to weddings, funerals and graduations. It's a matter of respect.

rae

(website)

Veteran

I love tattoos on others, but I don't have any myself. In terms of covering, it depends on what you are interviewing for. For grad school, as you've done, I think it's fine to show them; they represent a part of what you will bring to the table as part of the school. For *jobs*, however, if I was giving the interview, I would definitely think the person did not take it seriously if they didn't take the time to cover the tattoos. To me, covering up for a job interview just shows that you've foresight and care about making a professional impression. Just my two cents.

Aziraphale

Veteran

Rae, I see what you are saying about about covering up for an interview, but I only half agree. It really depends on the type of job a person is interviewing for. If you are interviewing for a position at a law firm, then yes, you should probably cover up your tattoos, even if they are small, and even if they are on your ankles. But if you are interviewing for a position at a visual effects company, for example, it would be perfectly appropriate and professional to reveal any tattoo not covered by normal clothing. In fact, showing up to an interview looking TOO professional (i.e. business suit) sends the message that you don't know what the industry is about.

RoseandJoan

Veteran

I have tattoos on my feet and other areas and cover my tattoos for work, however I want to move in a different direction and hope to show my body art more freely. I would not turn down a position based on having to cover the tats but it may make me reconsider. Concealing my tattoos feels like concealing a part of me and I don't wish to do that anymore.

Lynne

Veteran

Arya, I love your tattoes! Sally from Already Pretty wrote a thoughtful guest post here
http://youlookfab.com/2010/02/09/invisible-ink/
on whether to conceal/not conceal body art. I don't have a tattoe but I love them on others and can never resist asking about them :).

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Did anyone watch WNTW this week? One of the two episodes concerned a gal who covered her tattoos for work. But she wasn't feeling authentically who she really is. And when it came to formal/evening wear they broached what I was talking about when I mentioned some tats not jibing with the vibe of some dressier outfits. They dressed her to accentuate her body art.

Niki Lea

Veteran

For an interview, I would probably hide mine.

I find in this day and age, most people don't notice the tattoo on my leg even though I wear bare legs with skirts often. But I live on the West Coast (on an island) where attitudes are pretty relaxed about dress code. Occassionally if I know I'm meeting with someone important, I'll be sure my tattoo is not showing as a sign of respect.

My best friend (at the time) and I got tattoos together when we were 17 years old. Now 17 years later, I've come to accept it as part of me. My tattoo is part of who I am and I can accept that some people might be turned off by my appearance. That's okay. It's part of being an individual and I don't need everyone to love the way I look.

teri

Veteran

I have a large tattoo on my lower back so I really never worry about it showing at work.

If I had one in a more visable location I might cover it for an important interview, but then again if you don't plan on hiding it everyday I don't see the point of covering it up just for an interview. I have mixed feelings.

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April

Veteran

For an interview: definitely conceal. Some workplaces will require you to continue doing so, as they will non-conventional body piercings.

I think there are a couple of general rules for interview attire:

1. Avoid anything visually or auditorily distracting.
2. Avoid things that may be interpreted very differently by different people. Tattoos still fall within this category, and you want to be sure you're in control of the message you're sending, which is "You should hire me," or "Your graduate program needs a scholar of my caliber," or even something as basic as, "I understand the rules of interviewing."

RandomThoughts (Andrea)

Veteran

I am curious: Those who said cover tattoos/remove piercings for interviews how would you react if someone you hired had done so when they had no intention of continuing to do so in the workplace?

Having both removed piercings and not removed them during interviews, I think the former is asking for trouble, honestly, unless you plan to continue to hide them. I have a nostril piercing and when I was interviewing for jobs several years ago (when I lived in Idaho) I switched my usual ring for a stud. My rationale was that the employer would know I was pierced but I felt it was less "scary" for some people. I didn't like the stud very much and I do have a tendency to switch out my jewelry.

I did get a job, and after several months of working there I switched back to a ring. My employer didn't take long to comment and while she knew I was a great employee by that time it evidently bothered her on some level. She asked if I'd been pierced when she hired me. Well, yes, I'd had it for years. I felt a little disingenuous because I knowingly minimized it and clearly she did not notice it at the interview, but what I said was truthful. The matter dropped. However things could easily have gone differently. And keep in mind, this was an extremely casual workplace.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Hmm, I think how we present ourselves at interviews is never how we plan to present ourselves on a daily basis. The idea is to put your best foot forward. How many people dress daily how they did on interview day? Or painstakingly paid attention to hair and makeup? I think interviews are a farce on many levels actually, ha ha. FWIW, I have interviewed only in bars and restaurants over the last 20 years and definitely would never wear a nice dress and heels to work, but I sure did to interview. (before that I did work in corporate America - but hated it lol)

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I'm on the fence. Can you believe it! I think it depends on your line of work, and how much of the tattoo you can cover.

Kristine

Veteran

I have a tattoo but it's usually not exposed. I'd cover it for an interview, then go from there as you figure out the workplace. If I was interviewing someone, I'd rather not see an exposed tattoo but I doubt if would matter in a hiring decision. It makes a difference what you have and where (a delicate wrist tattoo is different than a crude tattoo on your knuckles or face for example) and your appearance and dress beyond the tattoo.

Random Thoughts, it's an interesting question. I'm pretty sure visible piercings beyond ears aren't allowed where I work. So it would be awkward if someone interviewed without it and then showed up with it later. So I agree, if it's a deal breaker you probably should wear it to the interview or at least ask about a policy.

Gaylene

Veteran

I've got to admit that I'm not a big fan of tattoos and piercings-- probably an age thing as I'm in my 60s. But I can't see the point of covering up a tattoo or piercing if it was something that I couldn't (or wouldn't) choose to hide once I got the position.

I've always felt that a good job interview was a two-way street. Yes, an interviewer was checking me out, but, at the same time, I was checking out my future work environment. If a potential employer is going to have problems with a tattoo (or piercing, religious symbol, head covering, or whatever) that is an integral part of my identity, then why would I want to work in that environment? Unless one of us changes, the situation doesn't look promising.

It's important to put your best foot forward in an job interview, but it's also important to be yourself, not an impostor.

Steph

Veteran

Random Thoughts, you raise an interesting question. Personally, I wouldn't care in the least if someone I hired hid a tattoo and then showed it in the office. I'm not a huge fan of tattoos (it surprises me a little how many people here don't have tattoos, but really love them on others, actually), but it's a personal choice and does not reflect on someone's ability to do the job.

At the end of the day, I am incredibly practical about getting a job. As Mo said, it's all about putting your best foot forward. Everyone has something that they would prefer an interviewer not to know about them for fear it could cost them a job. We don't highlight those things. If I'm going into a law firm interview, I'm not going to tell the interviewer that I rarely straighten my hair and it is often a frizzy mess when I drag myself into the office, because I'm not a morning person, or that I almost never wear makeup. (And not being a morning person is way more relevant to my ability to do the job than having a tattoo.) I just want to do what I can to get the job, so I can have the opportunity to prove myself after the fact.

Patty

Veteran

I enjoy others' body art but haven't any myself--I change my mind too often about what I want--I'd probably be a wash of graphics and cartoon characters!! But some day I think I'd get my kid's birthstone colours somewhere visible--wrist area most likely.
I am also in awe of tattooists' abilities--with a needle!!!
I'd have to say it depends on the job environment and respect due to the occasion are always the way to go. This said--have you ever been asked in an interview if you had tats or maybe asked by the potential employer what your tats were about-- in a way to scope you and your character out??
Dreadknots--I've always wondered how people in dreads got jobs .

(There is a woman in Germany that is such a big fan of a video game we made in the mid 90s that she has recently covered herself in art from the game--we are honored and mystified by this!! But damn they look good!!!)

Marley

Veteran

I do not have any tattoos nor do I really want any. Its the long-term commitment that deters me. I just can't imagine being able to come up with something that I would still like 10, 20, 30 years from now. I change so much - my likes and dislikes. I continue to learn new things, try new things, grow, evolve - there is just no way that I would ever want something that permanent on my body.
I think that if you are not sure about the situation, i.e. job interview, that you should try to cover them - you just never know what the attitudes of the person interviewing you are going to be regarding tattoos!

Girl X

(website)

Veteran

New girl here - but I have a tattoo myself, so I'm going to weigh in

I think everyone with a tattoo (or two) has had to consider the 'to cover or not to cover' question at some point. It's easy:

1) Are you comfortable talking about your tattoo? Every single person who finds out about my tattoo immediately asks about it: what it means, why I got it etc. If it isn't something you'd want to discuss with someone you've only known for 10 minutes, cover it up.

2) Is the situation tattoo friendly? And even if it is, will you be the only one there with a tat? Even if a workplace is comfortable with your tattoo, it could still be a barrier when an interviewer is deciding if you're 'one of them.' So - grad school for arts/design (show your tats and dye your hair pink!) or grad school for economics/business?

3) When in doubt, cover up. One less thing to fret over - especially in a situation that is already fraught with things to fret over.

Good luck!
P.S. I'm assuming there will be a subsequent What I Wore to the interview post?

rosee

Veteran

Hello. Thought I'd chime in too, I hope I don't repeat too much of what is already above.

For interviews, you don't know how the other person will perceive you, but you do want to make the best first impression while still being authentic to yourself. Be more conservative and modest in an interview but don't "hide" your tattoos if you are not going to do it after the interview. Maybe wearing longer sleeves would help hide the wrist tattoo but if it "peeks" out, then so it does.

I had a tattoo for about 15 years on my ankle as well -- got it in my early 20s when I was a little more "scene conscious". Many of my friends were musicians and I was rather conservative in comparison. For the past few years, I have been getting laser treatments to remove the tattoo -- only about 1.5" in diameter, a black BC Native symbol. It was a very tasteful tattoo, but as I have gotten older I became less comfortable wearing it for many reasons, job prospects included. And it is expensive and it hurts to get it done -- about $100 to put it on and close to $2000 to remove it. I can't wait until it's completely gone b/c I like the clear skin look much better. One of things that bothered me when I had the tattoo, was how people would react sometimes, especially when I traveled to different cultures. It closed some doors for me since people were wary of me.

In North America, tats are very common in the younger generation and I have worked with many in office settings who were covered in them. Having a tattoo doesn't mean you are not capable of doing a job (academic or career) but it still can limit one's opportunities. Ironically, while I appreciate the artistic aspect of (some) tattoos, I find as I'm in my early 40s now, I don't like that look on many people. I remind myself not to judge (pot, kettle) but sometimes I do react in a cautious way around the person.

Whatever you decide, I do wish you the best with your interview. It may not even be that much of an issue, really.

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