Is Your Ink Aging You?
Tattoos are meant to last a lifetime. That's why the design you decide on matters. While some stand the test of time and continue to look elegant, cool, and hip no matter how many years go by, others quickly go out of style, looking outdated in an instant. Here are 10 tattoo designs that unintentionally age you and 10 that keep their charm forever.
1. Tribal Tattoos
Sorry, bros, tribal tattoos on non-Indigenous folks tend to be something we don't do anymore. Unless it has a specific, deep meaning to you, it can come off as cultural appropriation.
2. 777
Seven is a number associated with luck and positive energy for many people. However, tattoo artists tend to roll their eyes when you request a 777 tattoo, as it's a way-overdone "basic" tattoo that everyone seemed to want in the 2010s.
3. Anchors
The anchor is just one of many classic nautical-themed tattoos. For sailors, it means you've successfully traversed the Atlantic, but for others, it's generally a symbol of stability. It's an old-school tattoo that young people generally don't get anymore.
4. Eagles
Eagles are another typical, outdated tattoo. It symbolizes strength, freedom, and power to many, but it's just too overused to be cool anymore.
5. Spider Webs
Spider web tattoos are the quintessential prison tattoo, signifying a long incarceration. They're pretty hardcore to see on older people, but young folks tend to steer clear of this design.
6. Fully-Rigged Ships
A fully-rigged ship for a sailor symbolizes that they've navigated dangerous waters. As most of us aren't in the business of sailing rough seas, it isn't as common a tattoo design as it once was.
7. Tear Drop
Tear drop tattoos have various meanings, but they're usually associated with prison. In some gang cultures, it signifies that you've killed someone. The hardcore-ness of this design generally steers younger people away from getting it.
Stockton, CA Police Department on Wikimedia
8. Clocks
Clocks are among the most common tattoo designs, which makes them pretty unoriginal. Particularly old-fashioned clocks with Roman numerals tend to age the wearer.
9. MOM
The classic "MOM" on a banner on a heart originated in the Golden Age of American traditional tattoos in the early 20th century. While it will never completely disappear as a tattoo design, it's certainly more typical to see it on the 50 crowd.
10. Asian Symbol Tattoo
We've all heard too many horror stories of a tourist in Asia getting a symbol in a foreign language tattooed on their body, only to find out it has a completely different meaning. Younger folks have learned their lesson when it comes to getting tattoos they don't really understand the meaning of.
Now that we've discussed tattoos that age you, let's go over timeless ones to consider.
1. Butterflies
Butterfly tattoos are extremely typical, but they remain timeless and elegant regardless. Straight angle, fine line designs in black ink are particularly timeless.
2. Geometric Shapes
Geometric shape tattoos can be as complex or minimal as you want, but they almost always age well and look modern forever. Smart placement around a joint can also nicely fill negative space between larger pieces.
3. Portraits
Realistic portraits, either of famous people or loved ones, never go out of style. Tattoo artists love doing them because they get to show off their artistic prowess, and they can be extremely meaningful.
4. Crosses & Angels
As long as there's religion, there will be cross and angel tattoos. Religious symbolism carries a lot of meaning to a massive number of people around the world.
5. Mandalas
Mandala tattoos are stunning designs filled with geometric patterns. They usually carry spiritual meaning, are highly versatile, and popular, especially as various Eastern philosophies continue to spread.
6. Skulls
Skull tattoos can symbolize death or serve as a reminder of life's impermanence. A rebellious, nonconformist symbol, skull tattoos will never not be cool.
7. Pin-Up Girls
Pin-up girl tattoos are a relic of early 20th-century American traditional tattoo style, but unlike some other designs, they never seem to go out of vogue. You see people, old and young, sporting them.
8. Lions
Lion tattoos are one of the most common, but there's an endless variety in the art style, from minimalist to detailed and realistic. Lions symbolize courage, strength, and leadership, which are values that speak to many people, and they continue to be cool tattoos.
9. Hands
Tattoos of hands making various gestures, like prayer hands or hand holding, are favorites among younger people. Seeing how cool they look, you can understand why, especially as they usually carry some special symbolism.
10. Flowers & Foliage
Creeping vines, trees, and floral tattoos are always beautiful, especially when well-placed. They can wrap your limbs and crawl up your body, adding a certain organic flow to your tattoo designs.
