The Future of Tattoos

[Vanillaphant]

Hello, hello.

So in the last few years we’ve seen tattoos become more and more popular, especially with young people. But I was wondering: how long do we think this can last?

I was thinking about it the other day, and it struck me that such is the permanent nature of tattoos, they can’t really go in and out of fashion – at least not in the same way that sartorial trends do. I just have this feeling that it may not be long before we have a generation of teenagers who are looking at their frumpy, ink-stained middle-aged parents thinking, Christ, what a state. I wouldn’t get one of those things even if you paid me! After all, no generation wants to look like its parents.

Does anybody see any truth in this? Or am I just talking bollocks? lol

Cheeyers!

 

[Sodahead]

I have a few tattoos myself. If I ever have kids and they decided they wanted one, assuming they are of age of course, I'll drive them to the parlor myself.

Who knows how long the trend will last. I am sure at some point, fewer people will be getting them. Personally, I am happy with mine, so that is all that matters to me. Trends be damned.

 

[rdhd]

My problem (as I said, my problem) is with those that tattoo everywhere....arms, legs, upper torso, feet, car seats.....first, I just don't get it. Second, most of the time, at least with the gals, it takes a good looking one into a what-is-that? Even with the guys....it's more like a circus side show thing... A small tattoo that has some meaning to the person....yeh, ok. Anything more...well, that's up to the tattooee......

 

[chicago]

Tattoos have been popular in some form or another for a long time now. My grandpa had a couple from WW2, my uncle has some, I've had teachers, coaches, friends, etc with tattoos and I have 5. I guess I feel like trend or not, whatever makes people happy, within reason, have at it. People always say "What will they look like when you're 80?" And I want to be like "What are you gonna look like at 80?" Lol probably not perfect. Honestly, every generation, people think they're tattoo obsessed freaks lol

 

[CapturedDoll]

I too think that one of the upcoming generations won't want any. I mean the current generation is covering themselves head to toe in tattoos. The next ones will do the opposite. But I'm sure there will be pockets of people that still do it. I have what's considered a "tramp stamp" (Meanwhile my thinking at the time was putting it on my lower back would be awesome because I could hide it if I wanted or needed to. I was 19.)How it got THAT name is beyond me.

I would like to get a heart somewhere on me as I think love is awesome. But that's where it ends for me. Course I have played with putting the word ticklish somewhere on me. But I'm pretty sure I won't ultimately have the courage for it.

 

[Vanillaphant]

Thanks for the replies so far. 🙂

I think it’s an interesting topic because, even though tattoos have obviously been around a long time, they’ve only relatively recently become a fashion phenomenon – and, like I say, it’s not a case of yer typical fashion trend. Perhaps they will go in and out of fashion, but their cycle (if you want to call it that) will be much longer than those of clothing styles and stuff of that nature…? Who knows!

I have a few tattoos myself. If I ever have kids and they decided they wanted one, assuming they are of age of course, I'll drive them to the parlor myself.

Can you be sure that in twenty years’ time (or however long it is before you have kids who are old enough to get one) your opinion on tattoos will be the same as it is now? Or that you will view your child’s body in much the same way as you do your own currently? (I’m just playing devil’s advocate here, you understand.) 🙂

Course I have played with putting the word ticklish somewhere on me. But I'm pretty sure I won't ultimately have the courage for it.

Cos you’re not comfortable with the thought of everybody knowing what you’re into? Cos you’re afraid that when people see it they'll pounce on you and tickle the bejeezus out of you? Cos you don't like the thought of that needle going anywhere near a particularly sensitive area of your body? So many questions! lol

 

[Sodahead]

Can you be sure that in twenty years’ time (or however long it is before you have kids who are old enough to get one) your opinion on tattoos will be the same as it is now? Or that you will view your child’s body in much the same way as you do your own currently? (I’m just playing devil’s advocate here, you understand.) 🙂

That's a good point. I cannot be sure, I am just assuming my current view on the subject will remain the same from now, until if that time ever comes. Tats aside, if I ever have kids, I can say confidentially I hope they do not do some of the other stupid shit I did during my teenage years and early 20's, lol

 

[CapturedDoll]

Quote Originally Posted by CapturedDoll View Post

Course I have played with putting the word ticklish somewhere on me. But I'm pretty sure I won't ultimately have the courage for it.


Cos you’re not comfortable with the thought of everybody knowing what you’re into? Cos you’re afraid that when people see it they'll pounce on you and tickle the bejeezus out of you? Cos you don't like the thought of that needle going anywhere near a particularly sensitive area of your body? So many questions! lol


None of the above. Imho it's really had to make words look sexy or elegant. If I do it I'd want to be the right font. And I know... there's 10,000+ choose from now. But even if I got the right one... WHERE do I put it. I've thought of by my ankle.... behind my ear, on my arm...nothing seems exactly RIGHT. I haven't given up on this idea. I shouldn't have said I didn't have the courage... that was an incorrect statement.

Up until about 6 years ago I wanted a Freddy Krueger tattoo... than Michael Jackson died and I also wanted an MJ tattoo. But then I saw Jeffrey Star's work... and similar type tattoos and it just became too much. It's not to say his artist isn't good- but that type of work... Idk... as great as it is... there's something about these big tattoos that seem blobbish and too over the top. I have seen beautiful and big tattoos...but they are rare to me. Those that I find truly beautiful accentuate a person's body. A woman getting a tattoo on her chest.. If I see a woman from across the room with a huge neck and chest tattoo it just seems like a hairy chest to me. This is not cuz I have eye sight issues. It's just reminds me of a Hairy Man's chest. As a person who ispart of Generation X... seeing MIllenals now... it just doesn't work for me. And it's just too distracting. I said courage but it was more about the courage to explain my answer. lol 😉

 

[chicago]

At the end of the day, as long as its not gang or hate group related or something vulgar that's visible (most tat artists won't do that) then who cares? People place way too much value on what a body looks like.

-Miss Millenial Hairy Chest

 

[CapturedDoll]

At the end of the day, as long as its not gang or hate group related or something vulgar that's visible (most tat artists won't do that) then who cares? People place way too much value on what a body looks like.

-Miss Millenial Hairy Chest

lol! I completely agree with that statement. But we all have preferences.

 

[Jota37]

Good question. Well, to find an answer, we might have to look at trends of the past and compare.

I personally think that tattoos will still be popular for time to come. I see a wide variety, quality, and quantity of tattoos on people that I've personally witnessed. I know people that just keep getting tattoos. I know people that get one or a few and then leave the possibility of adding more at some point in their life.

I think we are desensitized to tattoos and will continue to be desensitized towards them. Like the power lines on the side of the road everywhere. You only pay attention to them when someone or something calls your attention to them. Otherwise they just blend into the background. I believe tattoos will face this phenomenon.

I'm personally somewhat unaffected by seeing most tattoos. Like, I really don't care to hear about your stories or what meaning you attach to all your tats. They look cool to me, and that's it. Eye candy. Which leads me to believe that, despite the ability for one to find deep meaning in tattoos, they are still partially a sign of vanity. I don't care who you are, I'm willing to bet that if you have tattoos, you get excited when someone tells you they look good. I can find deep meaning in a toothpick. I don't need to drop hundreds upon thousands of potential rent dollars to permanently mark my skin.

I know someone that used to date this guy that I haven't hung out with in years. I remember she got these mechano angel wings tattooed on her whole back. What's the point of having this massive collaboration of ink on your body where you can't even see it yourself?

Final thought: As unique as your tattoos may be; hand crafted by your favorite artist of all time; blood sweat and tears; there is nothing more unique than your natural coat of flesh. And there is no single tattoo or collection of tattoos that can express your natural story any better. For that point, I appreciate my non-inked skin. You want to see a story? Look at people's hands.

P.S. Word tattoos are simply awful. Except the words "****" and "fuck". Those are great words.

P.S.S. Here ---> http://www.boredpanda.com/tattoo-portraits-covered-alan-powdrill/ is a really great gallery of people with full body tattoos in their everyday clothes and fully exposing their tattoos. It's interesting to think that the mom-looking lady next to you on the bus could be decked out in full tattoo armor.

 

[Vanillaphant]

Tats aside, if I ever have kids, I can say confidentially I hope they do not do some of the other stupid shit I did during my teenage years and early 20's, lol

You do realize I'm not the only person reading this, right? 😀 I know what you mean though.

Cos you’re not comfortable with the thought of everybody knowing what you’re into? Cos you’re afraid that when people see it they'll pounce on you and tickle the bejeezus out of you? Cos you don't like the thought of that needle going anywhere near a particularly sensitive area of your body?

None of the above. Imho it's really had to make words look sexy or elegant. If I do it I'd want to be the right font.

Well I'll be darned. I reckon if I'd had another ten guesses, I wouldn't have landed on that. Is font anxiety a common condition among tattoo enthusiasts then? lol For what it's worth, I was always told: when in doubt, stick with Times New Roman. Joke, obviously.

@Chicago: Not every woman can pull off the hairy chest look, of course. Jealousy is a terrible thing. lol

 

[Vanillaphant]

I think we are desensitized to tattoos and will continue to be desensitized towards them.

Interesting. You don't think, then, that with this desensitizing effect will come a decrease in popularity? After all, it's a fair amount of trouble for a person to be going to (if they take it seriously, anyway) - the time, the cost, the decisions, the discomfort etc - if society is barely gonna notice. I mean I know some people will say that they get a tattoo just for themselves cos it means something to them, and perhaps that's true in some cases, but I think for the most part, people want it to say something about them... And if nobody's paying much attention...?

 

[Sodahead]

You do realize I'm not the only person reading this, right? 😀 I know what you mean though.

Lol whoops. Nice catch