Old School Tattoos

Classic designs such as Popeye might have had are making a comeback !

Designs you may have seen in kids comic books, such as the pin up girl, anchor, swallow or cherry are becoming increasingly popular.

These are the designs that have been around for decades, traditionally tattooed on guys, but now women are taking tattoos and making them their own, the tattoo parlors will never be the same again! 

Traditional Tattoo Designs

The great news is that the vintage designs are making a real comeback.  There's something enthralling about even the font used for the lettering in those old tatoos !

Don't be put off by the quality of the tattoo that you might see on older people, in the past couple of decades both inks and tattooing have changed and your tattoo is less likely to age so badly as theirs has. 

Here's a few old school designs to play with in creating your own design - try mixing and matching for good effects:- 

Anchor - perfect if you have any nautical connections, such as a loved one in the Navy

Cherry - this is a small cute design that is fun just about anywhere on your body

Dagger - often seen in the military, due to their association with fighting and warfare.  A dagger through the heart or the flesh can represent disappointment in love or life.

Flower - with so many flowers to choose from, use Japanese inspired designs or roses to imitate the old school look

Harley Davidson - perfect for the biker or for any one who love bike culture

Heart - found the love of your life?  Why not immortalise them in ink!  (But beware, choose a design that isn't impossible to cover up, should the worst happen.)

Mermaid - the long flowing locks of old school designs have been replaced by intricate celtic images or the clean lines of tribal designs.  The mermaid is increasingly popular with women because of it's femininity and air of mystery.

Pin Up Girl - the classic male design, but quickly becoming popular with girls.   Girls are choosing images of icons they admire, such as Marilyn Monroe, elegant and sophisticated, to be immortalised in ink.  This is a more complicated flash, so choose your artist carefully and ensure they can carry out the complexity required.

Rose - the ultimate in delicate femininity, the rose is often used to symbolise love or faithfulness.  This is an easy design to fit to the area that's being inked, from simple line drawings to full color roses.

Skull - this is one of the darker images seen in the old school brigade, often symbolising death.  However, it can also mean protection and strength, particularly for those who have survived near death or difficult trials.  Combine the skull with a cross, roses or wings, entwined with ribbons for a more feminine design that can show you are a survivor .

Swallow - these beautiful birds can symbolise freedom or loyalty and fidelity.  Traditionally worn by sailors,  who are often seen with a pair of swallows. 

The reality is that although there are "traditional" meanings for many tatoos, certain images may have a special meaning to you or your partner.

Don't feel you have to choose a particular style because it has the right meaning, instead create your own design with various images or just one striking flash image, and give it the meaning you choose.  If you like it, just get it!